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.

Nutriganics Smoothing Serum

For a while now I have been reaching for Nutriganics Smoothing Serum by The Body Shop.  It was recommended to me by one of the Sales Consultants who gave me a sample to try at home.  After my trail I was so im pressed I purchased the full size.  I was drawn to this because the ingredients are 99% organic, it's pre moisturiser agents and claims to fight the first signs of ageing (which comforted my ageing paranoia).  At the time my skin was also dry and dull in areas so looking for something to give it that boost and this worked it really did, to the point that my face has almost been glowing... too much.  My face has been glowing so much that my make-up feels heavy and is almost sliding off of my face and breakouts... I don't mind the odd blemish but my skin of late has had spots the size of boils, they are under the skin and painful.  So I changed my moisturiser to one that is more for oily/combination skin but I was still finding myself with the same problems, so I stopped using the serum and my skin feels normal (well as normal as combination skin can be). This is a shame because this is a really nice product and seem to do everything it said it would, it just wasn't right for my skin. I do think that on the right skin this could really complement someones skin routine.

I would also like to say a big THANK YOU to Lacey and to Makeup and London for being my first followers xx

Do you use a serum?  Is there a product you love but hate?  I would love to hear from you.

My bf went to France and all I got was...

Hi Guys,

Long time no speak.  I have really missed not updating my post but, I started my new job on Sunday and have been really busy.  Excuses, excuses, I am going to try and get into some regular posting now.  I am loving it and constantly thinking of new ideas to keep you updated.  I am always thinking 'oh I can blog about this and that...' think it might turn into information overload and you guys will be like too much information, so I will filter my ideas (manic).

Anyway I said a few posts ago that my bf was going to France without me, so he was given a shopping list.  He is not good with things like this and I would never think about sending him out with a shopping list here because he would get it wrong or get over whelmed by the range of product and just give up (his not a marathon shopper like me).  So when he came back and told me that he couldn't get what I had asked for I wasn't too disappointed, however he put a massive smile on my face when he told me he did get everything that I had asked for!!! He is well and truly in the good bf books!!!

I have been using these products for a nearly a week and let me tell you that they are worth the hype.  Where should I begin...

Bioderma Crealine H2O, 500ml

This is a a very gentle make-up remover that looks just like water.  I have oily/combination skin but he picked up the one for dry skin but it does what it says on the bottle (in French) and my skin feels really refreshed afterwards.  With alot of make-up removers I have used in the past, they have really irritated my skin, especially around my eyes, it sometimes get a burning sensation which is abit alarming.  But this is just like wiping water across your face, so gentle.  There are very few ingredients and it basically smells of nothing which is a good sign.  I use about three cotton wool pads and with the last one  there is no or very little make-up remaining on my face, and the I just carry on with my regular routine.  It is quite pricey but I know you can get this online for alot less then what I got it for.  I have been using this for almost a week and have used a tiny amount so I know I am going to get my money's worth. 

Nuxe Reve de Miel Baume Levres - Lip Balm, 15g

'Wow' is what I said the morning after my first use.  This is a nourishing and repairing lip balm and has a real sweet citrus smell which is the ingredients of grapefruit, hone and shea butter.  I apply this matte balm on my lips at *night so it can really get to work and it is still on my lips in the morning.  My lips feel a-maz-ing all that dry flaky skin has vanished.  I have never had this experience before, I really suffer with dry skin on my lips and every though the conventional lip balms hydrate my lips I have never seen them is such good condition.  I feel Nuxe Baume Levres and I are going to become very close companions this coming winter.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir, 100ml

This has really blown up in the blogging world and now I am about to put my 2p's worth into the pot.  I wasn't even going to try it because the reviews that I read were really mixed and had heard there was a cheaper alternative on the high street.  I really like this product, it smells so fresh and natural and the fact that one of the ingredients is organic balm mint makes it feel like it is doing something because it tingles when sprayed onto the face.  I have just used it instead of a toner, so I spray it on just before I apply my moisturiser.  I know alot of people aren't into toners but I feel they really help with the application of a serum and moisturiser.  This helps to tighten pores which is a real aid to my overactive patches of skin.  You can get a smaller size bottle if you would like to try this out and again you can purchase this online. 

*I use this product at night you can also use this throughout the day. 

Are you using or will you try any of these products?

Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm

Hot Cloth Cleansing Blam RRP £8.99

Hi Guys,

You probably already know about the fact the Boots have have repackaged their Botanics range and have currently got a 1/3 off promotion across the range.  The Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm caught my eye as I had already read a review on another blog, but that was before the ingredients had changed. 

Let me tell you that I think that it is absolutely glorious... I have combination skin where some parts of my skin are oily, normal and dry (I know high maintenance, right).  I am usually use foam cleansers which seems to balance all these things out, so I was a little worried that this may be a little rich upon opening the pot, but I need not of bothered.  

This organic deep-cleaning balm contains a luxurious blend of Shea Butter, Rosehip and Jojoba Oil to leave skin smooth and beautifully clean.  The ultra-rich softening formula swiftly lifts make-up, while the gentle polishing action... helps dislodge pore clogging debris, revealing your beautiful radiant complexion.   

I use this in the evening and apply after I have removed my make-up with a gentle remover, I message the wax like balm onto my face, soaked the muslin (supplied) in hot water, placed it onto my face and applied a little pressure, I then use the muslin with circular motions to remove the rest of the balm, then splashed some cold water over my face to help close my pores.  I really like the way my skin feels and afterwards even in the morning I haven't got those shiny patch's it seems to really settle my skin.  It smells delicious, you can really smell the rosehip and the other essential oils that are included within the formula.  This is going to last me a long time because a little really does go a long way and at it current promotional price that's a bargain.  I you are looking for some thing a little special at a reasonable price hotfoot it down to your local Boots or online before this promotion ends.   

• This product is suitable for all skin types, my skin type is combination and this is my own opinion on how this work for me and my skin.

What do you use to cleanse you skin? 

My Week #1

Hi Guys,

First I would like to say a big THANK YOU for coming over to look at my blog!  I get so excited when I see how many of you have had a look and I have had views from all over the world so I know that they haven't all been just me (tehe).

What have I been up to so far this week?  Well...

1.  I worked my notice of my job  and I am now enjoying a week off, so I am currently 'inbetween jobs' as I start my new one on Sunday.  That job has to be the shortest on record I lasted 8 weeks, which I am not very proud of cause I usually stick at things no matter what but, I just could shake the feeling that things were not right.  So I got out quick!  I am trying to look at everything positively and believe that I learned a massive lesson about that short lived experience and that's I would have realised my worth and that I can do great things. 

2.   I bought some goodies... well actually I traded in some of my tatty old silver jewellery for a second-hand ring which I saw on Cherry Healey while watching her programme How to Get a Life (I know copycat).  I also got a silver stags head broach that I have had my eye on since January, I love it and will pinit to my beloved fur coat I got as a Xmas present a few years ago from River Island.  

3.   I had some money left over from my sale and popped into Boots and picked up a Collections 2000 eye liner in black because I had seen this and wanted to try a recreate the look with shades that suited my skin tone.  I will let you know how I get on with this as I think that its gonna be fun.    Also I picked up a  pot of Botanics Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm I saw this on Megs blog but I will post my own review and let you know what I think of the balm after using it a couple of times, my views are positive at the moment.

4.  Finally the bf has jetted off to France for a few days so as punishment I have given him a list of things to bring back with him so I will let you know if he comes good. 

I am learning so much from my short time of blogging and reading up loads trying to improve the look and hope to learn more.  I hope you guys have had a good week to!!  Let me know what you have been up to.

A Shower Spa Experience

Hi everyone... Welcome to Five10Eleven this is my very first post, so here goes...

I love abit of Boots me, on one of my lunch time visits I was looking for a beauty treat (and wanting to use my £5 off No.7 Voucher).  I stumbled across their Luxurious Foaming Shower Oil  .  I have really sensitive skin (which I choose to ignore), but the ingredients list and the fact that it is hypo allergenic had me interested. The shower oil contains Argan and Grapeseed oil and is also packed with Omega 6 and 9, the fragrance is to die for and is like a spa experience in your own bathroom.  I used it with a cloth and the product foamed a little when applied to my wet skin while in the shower. I was expecting more foam/lather but, because of the oil content I suppose a little will do.  The nice thing was after I dried my body there wasn't that tight feeling I get after I have used a shower gel.   It claims to leave your body hydrated all day long, I still moisturised (but that's because moisturising is my religion), I can see how those with less dry skin could 'shower and go' after using this product.  I do think the price tag of £9 is abit pricey but if you are using their £5 off No.7 Voucher its well worth the treat.  Boot £5 off No. 7 Vouchers expire 15/07/12.  This is a product I liked and would defo recommend, plus my son told me I spelt like flowers when I got out of the bath which is always a bonus!!

Ingredients

Caprylic/capric triglyceride,

Laureth-3, MIPA-Laureth

 sulfate, Laureth-7 citrate,

 Vitis vinifera (Grape) seed

oil, Parfum (Fragrance),

 Dipropylene glycol, Argania

 spinosa kernel oil,

 Tocopherol, Hydrogenated

 palm glycerides citrate.

Luxurious Foaming Shower Oil  from Boots Nationwide for £9.00

Do you use shower or bath oils?  What do you think of them?  Can recommend a good shower/bath oil?