Super Facialist

Today I am coming at you with a product which has basically been saving me at the moment. Whether its down to stress, change in the weather or the fact I work in a heated department store my skin has really suffered the last few weeks. Mini break outs and congestion, generally just looking a bit dull. 

With that being said I thought I'd try the Super Facialist by Una Brennan - Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Clay Mask (mouthful) and I'm so happy I did. 

Rich in Avocado oil and vitamins A,D and E. Acacia Honey as well as tea flower all help to rebalance the skin and clear it of excessive oils and toxins which lead to break outs. 

Recently I've been using this about two times a week, once daily before getting ready an then I tried it before bed to. Once used before bed I found I woke up with skin that had noticeably improved! My pores appeared smaller and the break outs on my chin had decreased in size two. 

So far this gets a big thumbs up from me, have any of you tried it?? :) xx

November Favourites

Time for November Favourites :) which means we are finally getting into December!! Yay!! I love this time of year :D

Rose Jam shower gel from Lush. This has been an all time favourite this month! It smells just like Turkish delight! When I've been feeling groggy and tired in a morning it's so uplifting to use this it generally puts me in a better mood!! ( I know it's a shower gel haha) but the nice thing about it is when used in the evening it's very calming!!! Great all rounder :) 

Lanolips original lip balm and rose hand cream. These two products have generally been my saviours this month. The original lip balm is fantastic it's so rich and nourishing!! I've been using it morning and evening and noticed such a difference when I've had chapped lips!! The hand cream is for very dry hands, but still sinks in beautifully considering the consistency!! It hasn't left my hand bag! 

Elemis Lavender and Herbal repair face mask. I haven't really tried anything from Elemis before but after using this mask through out the month I may be asking for a few more things from Santa for Christmas! This goes on as a thin clay like consitancy, when left for ten to fifteen minutes it leaves the skin looking smooth, soft and bright! Plus it smells lovely :) 

My make up items of the month are, the massive Collection bronzer! Which I've been applying with the Elizabeth Arden bronzing brush, which goes well as it's so huge haha! I've been using this all over in a three shape to bronze the perrimitters of the face. It's been adding desired warmth to the winter paleness of my skin tone this month. Cheap and cheerful :) 

And the Kate Moss lipstick for Rimmel in 110. This is the most beautiful coral/red colour! It stays on the lips all day as its a matte finish so you only have to reapply after eating and drinking! I've been wearing the colour pretty much all month as it sets off any outfit making it festive :) 

So that's it for my November favourites what have you guys been loving?? Xx

Autumn Nails

Today I thought I would show you what I'm wearing on my nails as I'm absolutely loving it!! 

Sally Hansen complete Salon Manicure - 620 Wine Not. This is the most perfect colour for this time of year an leading up to the festive season! Although it did take about three coats for a complete opaque finish it is beautiful with such full shine! Pairing it with the Dior GelCoat is a match made in heaven! This leaves nails looking as if you've had a gel manicure and keeps polish on much longer! Plus talk about the shine! 

I am officially in love!! :) 

What nail colours have you been sporting this autumn!? xxx

YSL's Youth Liberator Serum Foundation

It's very rare that I use products that blow me away on first try. But when I first used YSL's new Youth Liberator Serum Foundation £37 I was truly impressed!! 

This foundation has started taking the beauty world by storm and I completely understand why! 

The main things I look for in a foundation are radiance and warmth, normally I opt for a lighter coverage but recently I'd decided I wanted something that gave slightly more for the winter but still left me looking natural! 

This truly is beautiful, it gives fuller coverage but it's so glowy and feels so smooth when applied! I went for the colour Beige Rose 50! Which is a pink tone that gives my skin that little bit of warmth!! For £37 it's slightly more pricey than what I'd normally spend on my foundation but I am hooked!!! It is amazing :) 

Have you tried this foundation? If you are looking for a new one I'd highly recommend!! xx

Autumn Skincare Routine

Hello you lovely lot today I thought I would talk to you a little about my skin care routine, as I have updated it slightly now it has got that bit colder. I'll start by saying that I have a sensitive to dry skin type with the occasional tendency to break out normally around my chin area. The main things I struggle with are blemish scarring and open pores. But as soon as It gets colder and the heating goes on my already dry skin needs and adding helping of moisture! 

I have finally tried the holy grail Emma Hardy Moringa Cleansing Balm, as its quite pricey I hadn't ever made the plunge and brought the full size. But whilst in duty free I picked up a travel size to try and I'm so glad that I did. The full size will definitely be added to my Christmas list as I am absolutely obsessed! It takes make up off beautifully and leaves the skin soft, smooth and feeling so luxurious! It definitely lives up to the crazy hype surrounding it! 

I picked up a new toner to try during October Lush's Breath of Fresh Air Toner Water. ' The sea breeze captured in a bottle. A refreshing spray to tide you over.' Ingredients such as Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Rose Absolute, Rosemary Oil and Seaweed Absolute help to rehydrate the skin and remove any excess grime! I really have seen a noticeable difference since adding this into my routine especially with the blemishes on my chin. It contains ingredients that occur naturally in essential oils so its a very pampering product that feels so relaxing to use. 

Origins Eye Doctor Eye Cream I have done a full review of this eye cream previously, and expressed how much I am truly loving using this! It's so hydrating that it sorted any dryness I had around the eye area within just three uses. 

Hydraluron, another hugely hyped product that I just had to try haha. I have been using this serum in conjunction with another to really seal moisture into the skin. 'It increases skin hydration from below the surface with an ultra-high-quality hyaluronic acid that holds up to 1,000 times it's weight in water.' I must admit when originally using this alone as a serum before moisturiser I hadn't seen too much difference, however using it with an oil is incredible! 

I mentioned in my October favourites the NUDE ProGenius treatment oil! I have been using this pretty much all through October and I love it! It contains omega 3, 6, 7 & 9 which naturally help to relieve skin conditions such as rosacea, psoriasis and eczema because of their anti-inflammatory properties. So my dry skin is lapping this stuff up like a dream. I have used it morning and evenings and it applies beautifully under make up giving a radiant finish. 

Lastly in my routine recently I've returned to an old favourite, Benefits Total Moisture Facial Cream. This  moisturiser has a thicker consistency and with their try radiance complex it's captures the skins hydration, maintains it and develops it over time as well. It's fantastic for dryer skin types like my own as its full if mango butter which acts as a natural emollient for the skin! 

So there we have it that's what I've been loving to use on my skin to keep it hydrated now its got cooler! What skin care items have you been loving? Have you tried anything I've tried? 

Happy, Happy Halloween

Little Happy Halloween posty for you all!! :) 

I thought I'd share some of my favourite things for Halloween ...

Hocus Pocus - The all time best Halloween film, I think pretty much everyone agrees :) Sarah Jessica Parker at her best!! 

MAC's Dare you lipstick this has been so far a fabulous autumn lipstick and it's perfect for any festive season :) I've been waring it throughout October and its deep colour is definitely in the Halloween spirit!! 

Lush's pumpkin bubble bar :) it's sweet scent is beautiful and seriously how adorable is it!! 

There's a new series starting this evening on Sky Living Of Dracula and I can not wait to watch!!! So I'll be spending my Halloween cuddled up watching this, with hot chocolate and pudding :) 

I've already done my pumpkin, what do you guys think?? How are you spending your Halloween?? xxx 

October Favourites

It's October Favourites Time!! :) 

I've really missed doing my favourites posts, the last few months have been so busy!! That this month i wanted to make sure i set aside some time to tell you all what ive been loving. So let's jump right in 😊

Firstly the month itself!! I love how it's getting cooler and all the leaves are changing colour!! It makes everything feel so cosey!! I've purchased my first Autumn candle which is the Yankee Candle in Fireside Treats. It's smells so lovely; sweet marshmallowy goodness!! Om nom :) 

Adding a bit of lustre in to the month I've been truly loving the TOPSHOP highlighter in Crescent Moon! It really is love!! It's a beautiful champagne colour with so much shimmer that gives such a full highlight on the cheek bones!! 

Because its getting colder like clockwork my skin is also getting dry! So this month I've been using the Brazil Nut Body Butter from The Body Shop! It's a very thick butter that takes a few minutes to sink into the skin. However it will literally leave you hydrated for hours and hours!! It's amazing and smells divine!! 

My Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes Palette, this product really does get some serious attention from me. I use it pretty much all the time, there are three shades a mix of shimmer toupes and browns! Retailing at £24.50 its so versatile and looks different on everyone :) Eeee it's a product that I don't think I'll ever be without!! 

A skin care item ive been loving for the month is the NUDE ProGenius treatment oil. This size is only 10ml but It's been lasting me absolutely ages and there's still so much left! It leaves my skin feeling so plumped and hydrated!! And my skins been behaving a little more recently and I really think this is part of the reason!! 

Those are a few products that I really have been loving this month!! What have your favourites been? leave me a link xxx

Eye Doctor by Origins

 

Origins Eye Doctor is a beautiful eye cream and something that has become a staple in my skin care routine. Retailing at  £27 it's a little pricey, but it's highly concentrated so a little goes a long way. 

It's light weight in texture but incredibly hydrating, as someone who gets incredibly dry eyes this has been amazing for me! I noticed an impressive improvement within three uses! As all dryness had vanished!! 

I haven't had any problems with sensitivity towards the eyes and I have been using this on the eye lids as well to help battle dryness! 

I'd recommend this for any one who's concerns are dark, dry under eyes as this helps to soothe and rehydrate the skin!! With cooling cucumber, soothing Rosemary and energising Ginseng offer rapid relief to the skins appearance!  Its pure love!!! 

What products have you tried from Origins? I want to try everything!!! Haha xx

A Very Overdue Catchup ...

Hello my lovely lot, firstly apologies for an overly long absence! This past month has been craziness for me, starting a new job  and trying to sort through all of the new work load! 

So I just wanted to do a little post on the last few weeks, what I've been loving and any new goings on. 

One thing I've really fallen back in love with is LUSH! I love lush products and this month I really have had a craze for them again! Some all time favourites include Twilight bath ballistic and Rose Argen body conditioner but this month for me it's been all about Dream Wash Shower Smoothie! This is the most beautiful product to grace my skin in a while and it makes those early mornings more bearable, it really is the small things! 

Its described as 'Designed to be incredibly gentle but actively soothing. Take the heat out of troubled, sensitive skin. Perfect for every day of the year - but essential after sun burn.

Dreamwash is a soft blend of soap, with added soothing aloe vera gel and skin calming calamine powder.  Together they give a soft texture and a soft cleanse that will leave your body smooth and nourished.' I'm in love :)

Smash Box have a new launch coming to stores this month! Including their new Liquid Halo HD Foundation which I was lucky enough to pick up a few weeks early! Testing this has been one of my favourite things this month, I've really been enjoying it! I picked up shade 2 after being matched up by their lovely mua. The only criticism I have is the majority of shade are very yellow based so matching my pinker skin tone proved tricky! However I love the medium to buildable coverage and the finish is dewy and glowing, once blended the colour also adapts and looks absolutely fine! 

I've still been enjoying finishing products through out the month, and keep setting the challenge of using up my hefty perfume collection! Nominating one particular fragrance and making my way down the bottle ... This months choice was L'Occitane Rose which is a beautiful floral scent that I have loved wearing! And have received many compliments on but as it is coming closer to the autumn months this scent is more for spring season so I'm glad to have finally finished it!! 

Another thing I've been loving recently is Lancôme, I've never used anything from the brand before apart from their hypnose mascara! But, like many others I became hooked by their newest launch Dream Tone! Oh my goodness it is beautiful and the packaging swoon* I was also very lucky as I purchased whilst they were on gift with one other item and got some fabulous freebies to try :) bonus! It's basically a serum which helps to minimise the appearance of unevenness to the skin tone and leave skin super smooth! As I really struggle with redness from blemish scarring I really wanted to give this product a try and so far after using it for about two weeks I'm really impressed! 

As it's now September and getting very chilly I have started to get into the Autumn spirit :) I love this time of year purchasing a few new jumpers, shoes and pyjamas to keep me cosy!! 

The next few items I'm eyeing up will be ankle boots, a winter coat and the orange and cinnamon Yankee candle eeeep :)

Moving onto random things I've finally got into Game of Thrones which I have been meaning to do for so long and I am hooked! It's been so nice to get back from work, curl up and watch a box set! Hehe! 

Walnut Whips just putting it out there I have never tried a walnut whip until recently but I am oh so obsessed with them now they are amazing mallowy goodness! NOM! 

Lastly I am super excited for the next few weeks with Birthdays to celebrate and I go on holiday finally* on the 5th of October to Lanzerote, which I'm literally giddy about I can't wait to be on a beach with a cocktail or two!! 

Ok well I shall wrap up here, hope you are all well!! Steph xxx

July Favourites

A bit of a late monthly favourites, but better late than never ...

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm - I thought that I'd never be using another Clinique product again yet alone loving it so much that it would appear in my monthly favourites post. But this balm is so  gentle, it has no nasties in it and removes make up like a dream. I rub it into the skin on an evening, it melts away all make up including all eye makeup then I remove it with a hot flannel. This has been a firm staple in my routine this month and I can not see it going anywhere :) 

Vaseline Spray and Go Cocoa Radiance Moisturising Spray - a moisturiser in a spray formula that sinks into the skin quickly, hydrates and smells lovely! This has been absolutely perfect as the weathers been so so hot I haven't wanted anything too heavy or greasy on the skin. Although now it's cooled down a little I've changed to a slightly heavier moisturiser as my skin gets on the slightly thirsty side. 

Benefit Dallas Blusher - this blusher is a beautiful rose tone Bronzer which I have been using lightly to contour under the cheek bones. I've loved this to create a slightly warmer look this summer as its natural and doesn't go muddy on my fair skin! 

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Hydrating Toner - this month I reverted back to an old favourite! I love this toner so much :) it gives my skin a dose of extra moisture whilst also helping remove any excess product of grime from my skin after cleansing! It's so gentle and really soothing on the skin. 

Benefits Lady's Choice Lipstick - this lipstick sadly has been discontinued now :( but it really is the perfect nude shade for my skin tone. I've been obsessed with wearing this through out this month. 

Lastly Lovestruck Floralrush by Vera Wang - I've worn this fragrance all through out the month of July! I'm trying to finish up some of my fragrance because I really do have way too much. This is nice and light yet floral with a hint of musk so it's also great for evening! 

These really are products I've truly been loving through out the month! What are your monthly favourites? Xxx 

Empty Products #3

This Empties Post is quite a hefty one, so I'm going to tackle it a little differently! 

Firstly naming the three products I enjoyed using the most ...

No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser. A soothing hot cloth cleanser, gentle enough to use to remove stubborn eye make up. Which leaves the skin feeling refreshed and soft! Doesn't irritate or dry out the skin, I'd repurchase :) 

Caudalie Beauty Elixir. I used this as a hydrating toner after my original toner to put moister back into the skin and calm any stresses from the day. Although I'm unsure of a visible difference I loved using this before bed for its pure calming aspect and the fact I love the smell! I repurchase as a luxury item so maybe birthday list appropriate as its a little pricey. 

The Body Shop Honey & Oat 3 in 1 scrub mask. I've raved about this on numerous occasions, but I love this mask. It smells amazing! Cleanses and exfoliates the skin whilst still leaving it hydrated! It tingles slightly so you can feel its working but in a really pleasant way! :) I'd repurchase for sure! 

For hair I finished up Head and Shoulders smooth & silky shampoo for dry or damaged hair! This stuff really is the best at keeping any pesky flakes at bay I like using it every other time I wash my hair just to keep my scalp happy! :) 

Next the Loreal Ever Pure Reinforcing Intense Mask - with botanical oils rosemary and mint. This mask is lightweight enough so it doesn't weigh down the hair but still really hydrating! A good all rounder for brittle and dry hair! 

For body I finished up two Soap & Glory body scrubs. Sugar Crush and Scrub 'em and leave 'em. Both equally amazing. Sugar Crush has brown sugar, sweet lime, almond oil and macadamia grains. It smells citrusy but very sweet. Whilst Scrub 'em and leave 'em contains babassu oil seat salt, jojoba and mandarin oils its very fresh yet quite a strong scent that's more musky! Both of these I'd use again and they left my skin so soft and hydrated! 

Palmers Cocoa Butter. An all round firm favourite! It's hydrating yet sinks in quickly. Smells like chocolate and helps to reduce any marks or scars. This must be my eighth bottle of this, I always come back to it! 

For the face I finished up the Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover. All Bright! I know a lot of people don't like this as it is an oil based remover but I think it's one of the best eye make up removers. It doesn't sting my eyes and removes every last trace of make up. 

Then Elizabeth Arden's Gentle Hydrating Cream and Cleanser. Both really lovely products for dry skin types. The cleanser contains oats to soften the skin, I used this as my morning cleanser for the shower and it would prep my skin perfectly. The moisturiser is heavy but leaves no residue on the skin and sinks in with in seconds. 

Lastly two make up items. 

Urban Decay's all nighter setting spray. I have repurchased a new one of these all ready as on nights out or in hot weather this keeps my make up in tact perfectly. 

And lastly another product I've already purchased Benefits Boiing concealer in 02. This full coverage concealer hides imperfections brilliantly without looking too caked on the skin. With green tea oil it helps to treat blemishes whilst masking them! Another firm favourite! 

Well there we have it, a very large empties post for you all! :) 

Have you tried any of the products I've used up? What are your favourites? Xx

Some Favourite Recently Purchased! :)

Hi everyone :) hope you're all well! I thought that today I'd share a few products that I've picked up on recent shopping trips that I've really been loving! 

Benefits Stay Flawless 15 Hour Primer! Ok I think I have actually found a product I cannot live without. This stuff if awesome! It's hydrating so it doesn't dry out my skin but it really does keep my makeup in place all day long. I recently went to see Olly Murs in concert and was catching trains and rushing around all over the place, it was such a warm day that on checking my makeup I expected to have none left but I was pleasantly surprised! My make up looked exactly as It did when I'd left the house, all thanks to a quick application of this bad boy. The only down side is on application because of its texture I find it easier to use my fingers not my trusty real techniques expert face brush. But that can be overlooked as once applied it dries beautifully and can no longer be felt! :) 

Dior's BB eye Creme in 01 Luminous Beige. What will they think of next hey! But honestly this product is so light weight under the eyes, it doesn't crease on me and gives just the right amount of coverage to hide pesky darkness. It's illuminating properties are so pretty that you instantly look more awake. And with SPF 20 pa ++ you are getting high quality protection for your peepers :) 

Max's lipstick in Crosswires, I am a little obsessed with this lipstick! It's so beautiful and perfect for this time of year. It's a deep coral/red tone which is quite muted. As I normally go for quite bright lipsticks this has been a welcomed change. I absolutely love the formula it's a cremesheen finish so the colour is opaque but feels really hydrating! I have found that compliments most outfits and make up looks but looks particularly flattering with a bronze eye. 

Lastly is another product from Dior the Diorshow brow styler in 001 universal brown. This fine brow liner is perfect for a natural looking brow. As I have so many sparse areas through my brows this helps to fill them in without them looking too drawn on. The colour, although my brows are very dark balances out perfectly and looks really natural. The only down side is I can see myself getting through this quite quickly but I'll keep you posted on its lasting ability. 

Have you tried any of the products I've mentioned, would you like to? 

June Favourites

I really enjoy doing monthly favourites. I love sitting down and sorting through products that I have loved through out the month and sharing them with you. 

So this month seems to have been a brilliant month for all things beauty related, not so much for my bank balance however! I've been overwhelmed with the amount of things catching my eye. 

First of all I will start with Bourjois healthy mix serum in the shade 52 vanilla. Now I know this foundation has been talked into the ground so I will keep it short and sweet. But I just wanted to comment as I have a very dry skin type I like foundations to be light weight and feel hydrating. This appears to tick all the boxes, leaving a radiant dewy finish on the skin and it smells lovely too. 

The Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Glosses in Kiss Me Coral and Pinkissimo! For the longest time I have sworn I am not a lipgloss person so to have two in my monthly favourites is quite a big thing for me haha! But I absolutely love the formula to these! When I think of gloss I immediately think of walking along on a windy day having to drag my hair away from my lips urgh* I hate stickiness!! But these Revlon glosses are so soft on the lips they're not sticky at all. I've been wearing them over the tops of some of my favourite lipsticks but alone they're so pigmented and leave such a beautiful finish. 

On to skin care I have chosen the No7 beautiful skin hot cloth cleanser for all skin types. I have used the Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser previously and loved it but as there is not a store near me that stocks Liz' miracle cleanser some times you can't wait for online delivery!! I have been reaching for the No7 alternative and I must admit I have found a use for the numerous No7 £5 vouchers that accumulate at the bottom of my handbag. It's a really gentle cleanser that does a a pretty fab job of getting off all my makeup! All I do is pump about two pumps worth on to the back of my hand and then massage all over my face and eyes. Then remove with a warm flannel and jobs a good'n you're done! :) 

Next up is Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner I purchased this probably about a month ago now and have been using it continuously since. I have sensitive skin and have found this really lovely to use, it's gentle but really helps to leave the skin looking bright and since using this the condition of my skin has been clearer and smoother. It contains an alpha hydroxy acid and I was a little dubious at first to whether or not my skin would react badly with the intensity of the product but it has been absolutely fine! 

Lastly is a palette that I have lusted after for a while now. I purposely have brought this for my holidays later on in the year as I think from a traveling aspect this will be perfect because its so compact with pretty much all you'll need. It's the Early Bird Palette from Pixi. It contains 3 blushers 2 bronzers a highlight powder 4 eye base powders and 16 colour shadows all for just £16 :) bargain! & it folds down so tiny! All the powders are so pigmented and the colour choice is brilliant being able to create just about any look you'll desire after! I'd really recommend it if any of you are off on your jollies :) 

Have you tried anything from my favourites? I'd love to read about yours so leave a link  :) xxx

Sunday Face of the Day

I wanted to do a post on a more relaxed face of the day, as that's definitely what I sported on Sunday!

I kept everything quite natural as I'd had such a pamper before hand, but that's an entirely different post! :) 

So for base I used Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in shade 52. I love the coverage of this foundation it's so lightweight and evens out the skin tone perfectly. For blemishes and darkness under the eyes I used Benefits Boiing concealer in shade 02. It's a full coverage concealer with green tea oil so it's perfect to keep pesky blemishes at bay. 

On the cheeks I opted for a cream blush, the weather on Sunday was beautiful so I wanted a natural finish on the skin. I used a Dainty Doll cream blush in the shade 02 which is a beautiful pink/coral colour with hints of gold. I love this blusher as its not too liquidy and drys as a cream not a powder. 

I set the make up with Soap & Glory's One Heck of a Blot Powder which I'm currently still testing. 

For my brows I always use Benefits Browzings Pallette in the colour Dark. I swear by this for my brows, as the wax will keep the long hairs in place and the powder creates the fullness. It's waterproof and last blooming ages, what more could you need! 

For eyes I used a mix of colours from my Stillia In the Light Pallette, I used the matte cream shade for base, with a dark matte brown in the crease. Then I used Stilla's Kitten in the tear duct, it's a gorgeous shimmery pink colour and really opens up the eye area. On the lashes I used Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum, which acts as I white primer for the lashes before you apply your mascara. And I have been using the new Diorshow Extase mascara in black! Both of these products together work like a dream to create long voluminous lashes! Addicted! 

Then to finish the look I mixed to lipsticks together Barry M's lipstick in shade 151, which is a matte red toned coral. Then i applied Loreal's colour riche lipstick in sensual rosé 379 on top to give a softer tone. I love the finish of this lipstick so much! 

So that's about it for my FOTD :) I love this look it's so natural and pretty! Have you used any of he products I mentioned? What are your favourite natural products? 

May Favourites

Firstly I am apologising for the lack of bloggyness through out the end of May! I feel like the last three weeks have just flown on by and now I can't believe it's June! But still, I thought I'd do a little monthly favourites post to show you all what I've been loving.

I'll start with skin care. During May I introduced a night cream to my skin care routine which is something that I haven't really done before. My skin type is generally on the dry side so heavy duty moisturisers are my best friends. The one I chose is the Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Gentle Hydrating Night Cream for dry skin. And ohmygoodness I love this stuff! Not only is it purple which is one of my favourite colours but it has lavender essential oils in it so it smells amazing! The morning after first using this product I woke up to skin that looked soothed and calm and felt amazing! I also think its helped with blemish scarring which is an even bigger bonus! I'm officially addicted to this product! & would definitely recommend!

Make up wise I have three products from Dior, who have been killing it for me recently!

I have mentioned the DiorSkin Nude BB Creme in a previous favourites post so I won't go into too much detail but this stuff is truly amazing! And as soon as I finish up my bottle (I'm about half way through and really don't want it to end) I'll definitely be repurchasing this! It gives such a lovely coverage on the skin leaving an effortless finish which looks flawless swooooon*

Then these two products I have been using together and that's the Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum, which acts as I white primer for the lashes before you apply your mascara. And I have been using the new Diorshow Extase mascara in black! Oh my god! I had my make up done by one of Diors MUA's and as soon as she popped this combination on my lashes I was blown away! Naturally my lashes are short and lack volume but these pair make them look so long and full I urge every short lashed lady to go try these bad boys out!!!

And finally a bit of a boring favourite but it's my Tweezerman for Benefit slant tweezers. I've had these for about two months now and they've changed everything. They really are the best tweezers I've ever tried and I know some people will just think tweezers are tweezers why buy an expensive pair, but these save me so much time compared to my old ones that were so useless it'd take me ages to dee fuzz my brows between services.

So there we have it a few products that I have reached for constantly through out May! :) I'd love to hear about what you've been loving so please leave me a link to your monthly favourites or leave a comment below xxx

Empty Products #2

I'm actually really enjoying collecting up finished products it gives you such a sense of satisfaction! :)

I'll just jump right in and start with moisturisers.

So this month I have two moisturisers for the body which I have finished up. First of all is The Body Shop's Strawberry Body Butter 200ml. Now I'm not going to go into too much detail as I've previously reviewed this on my blog before! But what I will say is its fantastic! :) I've gone through so many of these now, they smell amazing and leave the skin super hydrated!

Then I have the Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion with Shea Butter - for extra dry, irritable skin. The only one flaw I have of this product is the smell is a little odd, it's not unpleasant just a tad on the strange side. But ohmygod I have never got on with a moisturiser so well. I struggle on and off with eczema especially on my neck from fragrance and one application of this and the rash and redness had 70% disappeared after using it twice it was barely even noticeable. I was so impressed I've repurchased the moister cream not lotion for emergencies now this has ran out!

The Breakfast Scrub by Soap & Glory!

Oat, Shea Butter & Sugar Body Smoother. 'With organic cupuacu bio scrubs, bananas almond & honey extract' I'm actually so sad to have finished this as its so lovely! The scent is so sweet and yummy you just want to take a handful and munch away! It leaves the skin so soft and it really helps to remove any dry patches. Also it last really well on the skin leaving you smelling beautiful all day! A really wonderful product! I'd urge anyone wanting a good body exfoliator who hasn't tried the soap&glory ones to definitely give them a whirl!

Lush's Let The Good Times Roll Facial Cleanser

This product I purchased around Christmas time and I'm not sure but I think it was limited edition. I chose it as it was targeted for those cooler months when our skin care is in need of a few tweaks. I must admit I did enjoy using it. With popped corn oil, maize flour and cinnamon it smells absolutely delicious! It is quite an abrasive cleanser so I did use it sparingly once a week as I didn't want to strip my skin but it left it feeling and looking lovely and smooth! It was nice on a morning to start the day off as it was quite an uplifting fragrance :) I'm hoping if it was limited edition that it'll return again around Christmas time!

Last two products now are hair care items.

First off is the Loreal Elvive Triple Resist Masque. This masque is supposed to help control the fall of hair so that it stays stronger and you lose less. I don't think I noticed any difference with hair loss haha I do malt quite a lot. But it did leave my hair soft and manageable with less tangles. I don't know whether I'd repurchase this however as I didn't find it did anything amazing for my hair.

Rehab Shampoo from Lush.

'If you don't have any priory engagements, then why not spend a night in, putting your hair into Rehab. Shampoo your hair back to health with cleansing enzymes, softening seaweed and scalp toning essential oils' This shampoo is pricey but lovely it's definitely over the £11 mark. It again keeps hair lovely and soft and is fabulous if your hair is on the dryer side like my own. It's smells fruity yet sweet and leaves the hair feeling nice and light as well. This is my second bottle of this and if my boyfriend didn't keep stealing it I'd be more than inclined to repurchase it. Maybe I'll have to find a good hiding spot and keep it locked away :)

There we have it for empty products this time. Fingers crossed I can keep getting through them :) Has anyone else done a recent empties post? I'd love to read them!! Xxx

Sleek MakeUp PoutPolish

Just a mini review today :) as it was requested!

Sleek MakeUp PoutPolish with SPF 15 in Electro Peach 946

These little pots of lovelyness are actually amazing! They apply a sheer colour to the lips yet are very buildable! So you can create a really lovely high colour finish! And they smell like vanilla :) They're super soft and very wearable! And having an SPF 15 makes them a perfect addition for summer! I love the colour Electro Peach it's a perfect red toned coral and is the perfect companion for any handbag :)
With the low price tag of around £3.99 you really can't beat Sleek make up for price and quality!

Can you recommend anything else I should try from the Sleek range? I'd love to try some new bits :) xxx

Putting a Spring Back in Your Step! :)

Hello lovelys :)

Today's post is about getting ready for spring and summer time! All I can think about is readying myself for my holibobs (even though it isn't until October and then I'll be thinking about Christmas) and sorting out my summer self haha.

First of all dry body brushing! I'm a big big fan of body brushing! I do it daily before hopping In the shower. I've been doing this for about 2 months now and the difference it has made is amazing! Not only is my skin so much smoother, it helps give a closer shave and has improved the skin from shaver rash afterwards. It helps the appearance of cellulite and helps the body's circulation too. You can pick body brushes up from Boots or Superdrug and they're nice and cheap. Mine is a Boots Botanics one.

Secondly, this step is one I follow all year round but in summer we expose more skin so keeping it moisturised daily is important. Popping on moisturiser after a shower is actually proven to make us feel better as well :) hehe. At the moment I'm trying to finish up products still so I've been slathering on Palmers Cocoa butter.

Third is those things we neglect all through the winter months then it gets to summer and ultimate nightmare, our feet!! (Well I do anyway) So as we had those few hot days I was ashamed of the state of my feet so pedicures are under way through out the month of May ;) Beginning with a trusty old pumas stone to help remove the tough skin from the bottom (ewwww) then lots of lotion afterwards. At the moment I'm using the Fair Trade Foot Lotion from Lush. It has peppermint oil in it so it smells beautiful and is really cooling :) Then trimming those toenails, checking the cuticles and picking a nice bright polish to finish them off. I mentioned in my make up items for May that I'm using O.P.I's Come To Poppy! :) which I'm loving at the moment.

Lastly I've been trying to lay off using too much heat on my hair! I'm such a heat junkie :( that I'm left with frazzled locks that are in need of a complete make over! So in conjunction with using hair oils and deep treatment masks I've been trying to sleep with my hair in platts instead of curling it to create natural waves. I always think in the summer you can get away with less polished hair so I'm embracing it as much as I can to try and save my poor fried hair.

So that's about it for my steps in preparing myself for the warmer months, hopefully we haven't seen the last of the sunshine!! If anyone has any good tips for getting ready for summer please leave them below as I'd love to read them :) xxx

Makeup for May

I've actually done quite a bit of shopping considering we're only a week or so into May, so I thought I'd share some of the things that I've picked up!

One of the things is a repurchase but one that I haven't had for a few years. Maybelline's the Colossal volume express mascara in 100% black. Now I used to absolutely love this mascara, and using it again I don't actually know why I ever stopped. Previously I must have gone through five or six tubes of this but then I started trying so many others it just got pushed to the back of my mind! I have naturally quite short lashes and I find that this gives dramatic length without making them look spidery and lots of volume! A firm favourite of mine! :)

Next up is two Urban Decay eyeshadows from their new Moondust Collection. I have swatched both colours below but the glitter has made it quite difficult to see the colours on my camera :( the top colour is Space Cowboy and the bottom Diamond Dog. These eyeshadows just attracted the true magpie in me they're so sparkly! I'd seen lots of the MUA's wearing them at work and they look beautiful so I couldn't resist. The only thing I will say is I was advised to apply them with my finger, and press firmly to pick up the glitter. Applying them when using a brush doesn't really seem to do much plus you'll probably find it difficult to get the glitter off your brushes haha. I used Diamond Dog on the outer corner of my eyelids to create a smoky look and loved it!

Another Maybelline item is their Colorsensational lipstick in 630 Velvet Beige, also swatched bellow. I love the formula of these lipsticks. They're really pigmented so the colour is really long lasting but they're not matte. I chose this colour as it's more of a deeper nude then I'd normally go for, and I don't have anything else like it. It reminded me of Benefits Do Tell lipstick which I've lusted after for quite a while, but is sadly now being discontinued. For a fraction of the price I am very happy :)

Lastly this nail varnish was actually a present off my besty Charlotte over at Stand For Style blog who I've linked below, she gave it to me during one of our swap sessions and I absolutely love it. I've included it in this as I painted my toes this colour last night and thinks its a perfect Spring colour. It's O.P.I's Come to Poppy. It's so vibrant and well pigmented I love the formula of O.P.I polishes as I think they're such good quality!

Ok well that's about it for my few new makeup items! Has any one tried any of these? Or can recommend the lipsticks in any other colours for me to try? xxx

April Favourites

Time for monthly favourites and I have a few products that I have been reaching for without fail this month.

First up Cetaphil Gentle skin Cleanser. If like me your skin is prone to dryness and eczema this will be fantastic for you, it's not drying in the slightest and leaves my skin feeling really clean afterwards. It also does a pretty good job of removing eye makeup as well. It's lasting me absolutely ages so far and I've been using it twice daily through April. The consistency is very light and it lathers up nicely.

Wonder Oil. This was a bit of an influenced purchase as I'd read so many good reviews about it. But I'm so happy I purchased it! Firstly it smells so nice! I pop it on my skin before bed and go off into a happy dream land smelling like a lovely citrusy cocktail. I've used it as a bath oil also and it really is fantastic. I haven't tried it as a body oil yet as I'm still on a finishing up craze but I can imagine its really lovely. But on the face its amazing ...

Now I'm not sure which oil has been helping with this as this month I've been loving Superdrug's own blended tea tree oil which is what I normally use on my blemishes. I hadn't used it in a while and dug it out of my stash as I've been prone to break outs recently. Now the one major issue that I have is scarring. My blemishes scar for months on end and its so frustrating! But using these oils in conjunction with each other has really seemed to help those pesky scars to fade :)

The Body Shop Honey and Oat 3 in 1 scrub mask. I love this face mask so much :D it feels so luxurious on my skin. Applying a think layer of this before hopping in a nice hot bath and just letting it work it's magic has been one of my favourite things through out the month of April. It's brightens and keeps my skin looking lovely and smooth and super soft.

Revlon's Nearly Naked Foundation in the colour 130 She'll. I love the formula, the shade is an amazing match for my skin and it last so so well through out the day. I have really enjoyed using this so far!

And finally Maybelline's Forever Strong Super Stay Gel Nail Colour in 130 Rose Poudre. This has become an all time favourite nail colour of mine the coverage is remarkable even after one coat and I've found it to last really well on my nails. It's just a prefect dusky pink for spring time :)

What have you loved through April? I'd love to know xxx

Benefit - ultra plush lip gloss

Benefit have launched their new colour range, today I'm reviewing two of the ultra plush lip glosses. Retailing for £15 the glosses smell amazing :) and feel super soft on the lips. They're highly pigmented but apply to a more sheer consistency. They are not sticky at all, I hate sticky lip gloss!!!!

So the two glosses I have are A-lister a natural nude pink and Poutrageous! A coral pink tone!
Both apply easily, yet be careful not to over squeeze when applying as you'll get lipgloss overload.

As always the packaging is beautiful, very fun and girly perfect for spring. As well as the range of colours which will all be fantastic for the spring and summer time! :)

They have also relaunched their eye shadows and Creaseless creams their new line of lipsticks will hit stores in August :) I can't wait to see the different colours available.

Have you tried any of the new Benefit colour line? Would you like to? x x

First Pastels of the Month! :)

When it starts getting to this time of year I begin to re add colour back into my wardrobe which is normally made up of black, berry and cream colours through out the winter months.

Whilst browsing the shops the other day on my only trip of late I spotted the pastel mint jumper in Vera Moda £30, I don't actually own anything this colour which is odd as I find it so pretty. It's nice and slouchy, really soft and when turned over it has a rose gold zip up the centre of the back. I was sold immediately :)

Secondly this scarf ohmygod I am in love! It's quite bold for my usual taste but I just couldn't take my eyes off it! I love the detail and think its so girly and pretty :) costing £16.99 I'm vowing to wear it all through Spring!!

I can't wait for the sun to start shining properly, and wearing fun colours definitely lifts my mood!

Have you seen any pretty pastels recently?

Lauren Conrad - Beauty

I haven't been shopping very much at all throughout April but on Sunday I popped out for a little mooch, although the shops were that busy I didn't last much longer than an hour.

One thing that I actually went with the intention of purchasing was Lauren Conrad's book Beauty. I think she always looks lovely! Her make up looks stunning and her liquid liner is perfect! :)

I spent the majority of Sunday afternoon reading through the book and I was literally fully engaged! I love the fact it's made up of tips and tricks about beauty related topics and then advice on dealing with general day to day struggles such as stress, diet and anxiety!

I think it's a fantastic book if anyone just wants to refresh their make up, skin care or hair care technique's or if you're just starting out in the big world of beauty it would be the perfect starter guide!

Has any one else read the book? :) any others to recommend for me? X

Empty products #1

I find it quite difficult to actually finish products! I'm terrible for just going out and buying more stuff when I have a ton back home sitting on my shelf. Through March and April I've been trying my hardest to fight temptation and actually use what I have instead of breaking my bank balance!

So here's some products I've finally managed to get to the bottom of ...

The Body Shop Moringa Shower Gel 750ml
This is one of the nicest shower gels I've ever used! It's soap free and with Moringa leaf extract and honey it leaves the skin silky soft! It has lasted me absolutely ages but I'm excited to try my Soap and Glory Sugar Crush shower gel which is next from my stash.

Ojon Restorative Pre-cleansing Treatment! 60ml
I picked the travel size bottle of this up to try when I visited Bicester Village as there is a CCO there and I'm so happy i did. You apply this treatment before you wash your hair, let it sink in for five minutes then wash your hair as normal. When you're finished you are left with hair that feels like you've just come out of the hair dressers!

Macadamia Deep Repair Mask 250ml
I can't say enough good things about this mask, I'm so sad it's all used up! I'd definitely repurchase it again. Although it's quite pricey I think it's around the £24 mark it last ages!! And does absolute wonders for my dry ends! Plus it smells friggin amazing!!!

Vaseline essential moisture lotion 400ml
This is cheap and cheerful and basically does the job! It's nice and lightweight, brilliant if you need a quick moisturiser in the morning that sinks in nice and fast! A little bit goes a long way and it smells nice too.

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Gentle Hydrating Toner 200ml and Optimizing Skin Serum 30ml
Ok! These are two products I get through on a very regular basis. They are staples in my skin care routine. It's killing me not to repurchase these but I'm being good and using up other products I have before buying these again. They are both fantastic and work brilliantly together. The only flaw is the prices. The toner costing £17 isn't too bad, however the serum costs £38 and as its only 30ml it doesn't last as long as I'd like it to. I'm so addicted to using these that I can't imagine not having them to reach for on a day to day basis. Having very dry skin and prone to eczema these beauties help to control my skin and keep it hydrated and looking bright all at the same time!! True holy grail!!

Let me know if you've done an empties post I'd love to take a look :) x x

March Favourites

I haven't ever really sat down and done a monthly favourites before so I thought March would be as good a month as any to start. So here we go ...

Dior Nude BB Cream - 02 I'm a sucker when it comes to BB creams but this one literally breaks the mould! I have tried so many and haven't found one that gives just the right amount of coverage without feeling sticky on the skin or too little coverage that I end up applying loads of products on top. Until now :) this stuff is blooming amazing! I'm so happy with it! It does have a high price tag being £30 but I swear its so worth it! A little bit goes such a long way and it evens the skin tone perfectly! It was actually the only thing that I found covered my blemishes whilst having a bad skin week previously, as it didn't make them look too dry or as if I'd used loads of product! New holy grail product for me!

E45 Moisturising Lotion - in the pump version! Ok I have really dry skin, and I do swear by the Body Shop Body Butters, but when I'm eczema flakes up I tend to go for fragrance free products. This moisturiser is pretty standard :) it feels nice on the skin. The scent disappears when applied and it really does a good job of keeping my skin feeling hydrated through out the day! I think it was about £4.99 But I have really loved using this through March.

Dainty Doll - Money Talks Blusher in Bronze I did a post featuring this blusher in my Dainty Doll haul but since then I have used this bronzing powder every day for contouring and I love it! It's the perfect shade on my pale skin and I got it for something ridiculous like £2.99 off Amazon! I really hope they're not discontinuing the range but I'd definitely advice everyone to check it out!

Benefit Fake Up - 02 Medium! I love Fake Up using it on myself and showing to all the lovely ladies that come to the counter! It gives great coverage under the eyes, keeping them hydrated for up to 6 hours with Vitamin E and Apple Seed it really does feel silky soft on application. It costs £18.50 so I'd recommended popping along to your local Benefit Counter if you fancy being matched up a colour to find the best one for you! I picked no.2 for myself as I found the lightest shade no.1 a bit to white toned.

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream - Sample Size I know everyone and there mother has spoken about this product but it is fantastic. I'm speaking about it from a blemish perspective though. Recently I've had a few pesky spots that just haven't vanished leaving red marks behind and very uneven skin. The amazing 8 hour balm has done wonders in helping put moisture back into the skin and helping reduce this. It's just awesome for everything!

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Peel and Reveal Revitalizing Mask! I think this retails at £25 'This radiance - revealing facial mask combines vitamin rich Cabernet grapeseed extract with the refining powers of alpha and beta hydroxy acids. It's multi-benefit formula retexturizes and exfoliates as it minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines'
I'd pretty much agree with all of the above! I love this mask, not only does it smell fab it leaves my skin feeling so soft and even! Plus, as long s you let it dry completely! Peeling off the mask is the most satisfying thing ever!

Well I hope you enjoyed my first monthly favourites! :) I enjoyed rambling about some of my favourite things of the month! I'd love to read about some of yours so if you've done a favourites please leave me a link :)

25 Facts About Me ...

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I know this is very late considering all of these posts have been done now, but I think It's a really nice idea. So now I have some time I thought I'd share this type of post with everyone!!
So lets get started :)

1) I have worked for Benefit Cosmetics as an MUA and Brow Expert for nearly a year now and I love it!!!

2) I have a BA Honours Degree in English, and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, along side learning to drive.

3) Bringing us to number 3, it took me 5 attempts to pass my driving test!! I passed on the 24th of March 2010 :)

4) I have moved house once when i was 10 and cried for two days because I didn't want to leave my old house, I now love my new house!! :)

5) I have one tattoo on my right ankle of a four leaf clover, it was a 21st Birthday present off one of my best friends.

6) I have five piercings, all on my ears :) I'd love to get my nose done but I think my Mom would cry if I ever got anything on my face.

7) I LOVE to read! Getting lost in a book is one of my all time favourite things!!

8) I have kept a diary for ten years now, looking back at some of the earlier years is hilarious. But I love it! :)

9) My middle name is Jane.

10) I have one older sister who is 26 and the complete opposite to me, but I love her very much.

11) My favourite perfumes are Hugo Boss Deep Red, D&G Pour Femme and Roberto Cavalli.

12) I am 5ft - 7 and a quarter.

13) I LOVE Taylor Swift.

14) My Daddy is one of my favourite people and I call him Joany even though his name is John.

15) I am addicted to Lush products!! My all time favourite bath ballistic is Sex Bomb.

16) One of my favourite songs to hear on a night out is Fire by Kasabian

17) I didn't have my first kiss until I was 14

18) I love drama and going to the theatre. My favourite show was the first time I went to see Billy Elliot for my 18th Birthday.

19) I find drinking tea really comforting :) especially with a custard cream to go with it. However I'm terrible at making tea.

20) I love watching films, going to the cinema is one of my favourite things!!

21) I have been with my boyfriend for a year and a half on April 19th and he makes me very happy <3

22) I am 22 years old :)

23) I love strawberry milkshake, the ones from Millie's cookies are amazing!!

24) I have 5 amazing really close friends who mean everything to me!!

25) I have loved everything beauty related since I was a very little girl :) and had a plastic light up dressing table!

Well those are just a few little facts about me! I really enjoyed writing this post! I'd love to read yours so please leave me a link! xxxx

Dainty Doll

Well I know everyone seems to have gone crazy for the Dainty Doll Discounts that are about at the moment, but I just couldn't help myself! I was mooching through Amazon when I noticed the amazing sale Nicola Roberts' make up range had an couldn't help choosing a few pieces to try, which turned into a few too many, luckily I'm über happy with everything I chose!! :)

I picked four blushes, four lipsticks then four other products just to top it all off!

The blushers I chose are three powder ones then one cream blush. Money Talks Blusher - Bronze, Hippy Shake Blusher - Lilac, My Girl Blusher - Pink and Orange County Girl Face Blusher - Creme Peach. All are amazingly pigmented and look lovely on fair skin, which the range is targeted for.

The lipsticks are Lilac Material World, Red Saucy Sailor, It's My Party - Bright Pink and In His Kiss - Soft Pink. I'm addicted to these lipsticks and since they arrived I haven't stopped wearing them! My favourite is In His Kiss which looks so pretty along side smoky eyes. They all feel moisturising on the lips and the colours are buildable so you can have them as soft or built up as desired.

Lastly I chose four very different products.

The Mascara-Liquid Eyeliner Duo, I love the mascara but haven't tested the eyeliner as of yet but it looks lovely. A clear Lipgloss which feels really soft on the lips not tacky at all like some glosses. A mineral powder foundation in the colour Medium, the consistency of this is really nice but the colour is little dark. However as its light weight and more on the tanned side it may be perfect for when I'm on holiday and hopefully have more of a sun kissed glow to my skin! And lastly my favourite product The Working Girls Wonderbalm for everything from chapped lips to dry elbows similar to Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream but in a very handy compact with mirror!

All in all I am over the moon with my purchases and hope the Dainty Doll range isn't being discontinued! Have you tried anything from the range? What's your favourite Dainty Doll product?