Lunch Time Dash 'n' Stash

(L-R) Revlon Nail Enamel in Girly: £6.49, Models Own Disco Inferno: £5, Gelly Hi Shine By Barry M in Plum: £3.99, OPI, Liquid Sand in What the Wizardry is This: £7:45, Models Own in Purple Ash: £5, Barry M Textured Nail Effect Ridley Road: £3.99, OPI in Just Spotted the Lizard: £11.50, L'Oreal Color Riche in Confettis: £3.99

 

 

 

I realised the other day that I had a number of nail polishes that I have bought for some reason or another and I haven't actually used.  Most of these were purchased on my lunch break where I will 'pop into Boots' to see what they have got.  I have made swatches of them to get an idea what they look like.  It's sunny outside today (for a change) so I think I am going to wear Barry M's Ridley Road. 

 

Do you have a little collection of beauty products purchased on your lunch break that you stash away?

A Little Tint

For a long time to me foundation has meant completely getting rid of flaws, imperfections and creating a new base.  I have a lot of dark areas on my face which is something I developed from adult acne.  So normally I would reach for a foundation that gives me a medium/full coverage and then cover-up with concealer and touch-up with powder.  Over the past nine months I have really invested my time (and money) on a skincare routine and feel my skin has really improved and lately have been thinking that I could get away with wearing a lighter foundation and just touching up on my imperfections with concealer. 

 

I mentioned in a previous post that I visited the Laura Mercier counter, where I was originally looking for their Silk Crème foundation, but was kindly introduced to their Tinted Moisturiser SPF 20 Oil Free in Walnut. Its described as "...the perfect blend of skincare and makeup...", this give my skin a really light coverage, almost even coverage and any imperfections I cover up with concealer.  Throughout the day my skin looks normal and stays oil-free for at least 8 hours, which is great cause this means my face doesn't start to slide off and I don't feel like I am wearing a mask towards the end of the day.  And a new plus + its got an SPF20 which helps protect my skin form the sun, this is something I have never really been to concerned with, but in my old age any anti-ageing benefits are good to me. 

 

But seriously I really like this, I love the way skin still feels like my skin and I still look really natural.  I think this is going to become a staple in my make-up bag and I would definitely recommend.

 

Are there any Laura Mercier Foundations you like or is there another tinted moisturiser you would recommend.

Little Beauty Haul #1

 

There was a day lady week where I was footloose and child free. I took full advantage of this a trip into Colchester, which is about 20 mins from where I live. I am an only child so I really enjoy my own company and love, love, love shopping on my own and I kinda knew what I wanted so knew what shops to hit. First was William & Griffin, is a department store (part of the Fenwick Group) and I have been wanting to get my hands on Laura Mercier Silk Creme so I headed straight for that counter. I was served by the best sales women who I had the best time with. She advised me that the didn't make the Silk Creme in my colour range (boo!!) but colour matches me to their Tinted Moisturiser SPF20. I was with here for quite a while but she was fab and I was able to try a few other products too. Then I popped into Topshop, there is a small TS where I live but they don't have makeup and I have heard so much about their range but viewing online is different to what you actually see, so I invested in one of their crayons. My final stop was Boots where they had such a big range of the Real Technique Brushes. I got the blush brush with my points, I have been want this for ages and I must say points well spent. Then I took advantage of their 3 for 2 promotion and got the Real Technique Shading brush, Revlon Girly polish and Barry M Gelly polish in Plum. I was there for just a short time but feel I spent my time wisely and was very happy with my purchases. I am sure full reviews will be up as soon as...

I am going to enjoy the rest of my Easter now, I hope you guys are making the most of you long weekend. Until next time xo

Whats on Your Face

 

I have been wanting to do this post for a while now.  People often ask me what moisturiser I use on my face, not because I have amazing skin I think its more that they cant get over how old I am compared to my skin.  This is not something I have just gotten into... Honestly this is like my religion, I have been moisturised since the day I was born.  Since my teens I have been trying to find the perfect facial moisturiser and I think I have.  I have said before that I have combination skin, so there are areas of my skin that are normal, oily and even dry throughout the day.  My main mission is to find something that provides me with balance, and I think I have...

Origins Make a Difference Plus + Rejuvenating Treatment, 50ml, £33.00

This rejuvenating treatment is infused with rose of Jericho Lychee and Watermelon together these help to add moisture to dehydrated skin. The gel-like formula is recommended for combination skin and has a scent that reminds me of essential oils.  I find this to be a really light moisturiser and after I apply it to my skin it feels a little tight.  I tend to wear this on the days that I wear makeup where I will layer my skin with a serum, moisturiser, primer and then foundation and that is enough for me as my makeup lasts a lot longer.  This will be great in the summer, but on its own at the moment its just not enough, I need more hydration, which leads me to...

Estee Lauder Daywear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Crème SPF 15, 50ml, £39.00

This comes in two formula's for oily/combination and dry skin.  The oily/combination formula is lightweight and silky for just right balance of richness and refreshment, it has an SPF and contains vitamins C and E.  I actually got this as a sample from an Estee Lauder counter and I have fallen in love with it.  It gives me a little more that I have been looking for and is perfect for this time of year as it is that much creamier to take you through the day.  My skin is really dehydrated so the richness of this great on its own on my days off but I do wear this on my makeup days and will wear it under a mineral foundation which helps keep my oiliness at bay.  This can be used day or night, I think this is the best way to start the day as it has the most refreshing cucumber scent.  This was a free sample so I only found out the price after I started using it and I only have a tiny, tiny amount left. The price tag scare me and my bank balance a little but is some thing I would definitely recommend, pop down to your local beauty counter to see what little treats you might get.

What is your go too moisturiser? Do you use Origins or Estee Lauder products? 

Micellar Water by La Roche-Posay

 

 

Since my post on Bioderma Crealine H2O,  I have been waiting for what seems like forever to get through my bottle of Bioderma.  I only used it to take off my make-up and I only wear make-up when I have been at work, I work part-time so that's four times a week.  Anyway I have really enjoyed using it this miracle solution to remove my professional face. But for the past two weeks I have be using a new Micellar Water by La Roche-Posay, it's a solution for sensitive skin that helps remove make-up and impurities from face eyes and lips.  I am going to be honest I wasn't to sure about this when I first started using it, I don't know what it was, but the texture of the water felt a little hard, you know like when you visit a country with warmer climate and their water feels, well a little softer.  I don't know... well I am over that now after using this for a few weeks because it does do the trick.  After a hard day I soak a cotton pad first and remove my eye make-up and I have to say this is very gently around the eyes and removes every trace of eye make-up, I have to admit that this sometimes didn't happen with the Bioderma.  The same with taking my make-up off my face, I do this three time and the last cotton pad wipes away almost clean and that's when I go on to double cleanse.  Overall I like the product as it does a good job it's really gently and helps me get a head start on my evening cleanse.  The only negative thing I have to say is that your not really getting that much for your money, I found this in Boots' premium skincare sections, so I paid £11.50 for 200ml and I got 500ml from Bioderma for around the same price.  Bioderma is now available in the UK and you can find cheaper Micellar Waters from places like Superdrug,   Will I buy this again?? Probably not any time soon as their are similar products I would like to try out and I have got my eye on the Micellar Water from Bioderma for dehydrated skin, so watch this space.

Boots have included this in part of their 3 for 2 mix and match offer so check it out for yourself.

Have you used am Micellar Water?  What one would you recommend?

Hydraluron Moisture Boost

Hydraluron Moisture Booster, Boots £24.99


Hydraluron and I have been on abit of journey together. I first heard about this product after reading rave reviews about it in Beauty Mouth where I was immediately drawn in.  I ummed and arhhed about this product for a while, until I finally purchased it about 8 weeks ago.  My skin was feeling really dehydrated, I was happy with the moisturiser I was already using but felt I needed something a little extra.  After reading the packaging I knew not to expect anything great to change straight away and that I would have to give it at least eight weeks.  For the first two weeks I followed the directions and applied a small amount of the serum onto my face before applying my usual moisturiser and I have to say I wasn't happy.  My skin still felt tight and like it needed more of a punch (of moisturisation, not an actual punch),  I am quite lucky as my work colleague had purchased Hydraluron around the same time as me, so we had bonding material during quite periods of work (just in case my manager reads this). I expressed my concerns to her and she felt the same, but we both said we were  going to continue using it.  Two more weeks down the road I completely changed my mind and I had actually noticed a difference in my skin, there was no more tightness, no dry patches across my nose, my skin felt evenly hydrated and plump.  I am in my eighth week of using Hydraluron and have got to say that I am really happy with it.  I apply it once a day after cleansing but before moisturising in the morning as I have a different routine in the evening.  A little really does go a long way as I apply only a pearl size amount of the gel like formula onto my face.  Also I feel using this product has taught me a real lesson about myself I am really impatient and expect miracles to happen over night, when actually if you give things time they may actually pay off. 

Have you tried Hydraluron?  Do you have an alternative hydrating product you like to use?   I would love to hear from you.

Winter Lips...

Hello...

I have been away for a little while... I have not really been up to much, in fact I have been bored out of my brain doing the usual mundane everyday things.  I think it quite easy to get stuck in a rut, so I have been thinking about the things I like doing and top of my list was my blog... so here I am!!

I knew winter was on its way, but nothing tells you like your lip splitting when you smile.  Yeah this happened to me!!  Every winter I suffer with sore/chapped lips and I have to make sure I am in constant supply of lip balm.  This year I have decided to treat my lips to a little TLC!! The other day I went a little crazy in Lush, as one has recently opened in the town I live in.  I had heard allot about there 'Popcorn Lip Scrub' from reading other blogs so headed straight for it!  Where I found that I had a choice of three 'Mint Julips and Bubblegum'.  After smelling/trying them all the little girl with a sweet tooth within me could resist the Bubblegum Lip Scrub, this pink lip scrub contains Caster Sugar which helps to buff off any dead skin and Organic Jojoba Oil which leave the lips moisturised and soft.  This smells so good you could eat it (no really, you can eat it!!)  But just brush the excess of and then follow up with in my opinion the ultimate lip balm Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm, for deep conditioning lip treatment.  Perfect!!

Are your lips more chapped/sore this time of year?  How do you treat your lips with a little TLC?

I would love to here from you.