May favourites

Okay, so I've been a little bit rubbish for the last month (and a half...) and for that i apologise. But I am back (ta-dah!) and i have a lovely lot of beauty bits that I've fallen for this month. It's a bit of a varied bag but it's all fantastic stuff. 

I'm going to start with a few hair treats that I've been using religiously this month. My hair seems to present me with a constant battle in day to day life. Either it's too long or too short (normally the latter) or it looks too fluffy, or it just falls completely flat and looks useless. Enter BIG; Lush's answer for all hair disasters. This shampoo has been my go-to for weeks now, and i cannot recommend it enough! Its main component is sea salt, which adds amazing volume to your hair without drying it out. I'm always wary of using products that claim to add 'volume' as I often end up looking like I've been dragged through a bush backwards. However this shampoo adds texture and shine as well as making my hair look like it's been styled without me putting any work in at all! Its pretty pricey at £11.25 for a tub but as you only need a pea sized amount to wash your hair with it's lasting me 3 times as long as a normal shampoo would. I'm certainly going to be using this shampoo all summer to achieve that effortless beach hair. 

Alongside this i have been using a texturising spray from VO5. Give me texture is a spray that is used on dry hair, either as an accompaniment to styling or as a lazy way out of doing anything. I often use this spray as a 'pick me up' when my hair isn't freshly washed. Another product that uses sea salt it seems to lift straight from the roots and make my hair look alive as apposed to a limp dish cloth. It also has a delicious smell which makes me feel like i'm on holiday, a fantastic bonus! 

With my budget for make up being slightly tighter this month I have rediscovered a few old favourites that have quickly been bought to the top of my make up bag. The first is Benefits Hello flawless foundation. Over Christmas this was a product that i lived in but it somehow got overlooked through the spring (possibly due to the BB/CC cream craze...) On rediscovering i soon remembered why i loved this foundation so much. Firstly it is so light and feels incredibly clean. It reminds me of a tinted moisturiser as it's very illuminating and offers a very light coverage. It's also oil free, so it lets skin breathe and doesn't make it feel greasy (hurrah!) or look shiny. As an alternative to a BB or CC cream i would use this as a summer foundation.

The never ending quest for the perfect blusher has led to another blush purchase this month (sorry bank balance). This time it's another great product from high street chain 'Me me me', The blush box! Since buying their llluminator (See blog post here) i have been keen to buy another of their items and this seemed the perfect choice. I went for pink as it was unlike anything i had in my collection and it was pleasantly surprised how much i liked it. The pink is very sweet and bright but not too sickly that it makes you look like a china doll. The consistency is relatively good but not fantastic, it's very powdery which means it can be easy to go over the top and apply too much but a good blusher brush puts an end to this. It comes with its own small application brush which i have avoided as it has a very flat edge which makes for a harsh finish. However the colour is gorgeous and as it has a slight shimmer, it gives a very pretty finish. 

My last face treat this month is a mascara from L'oreal. It was a few months ago that i purchased the  L'oreal Telescopic mascara (See blog post here) and i decided it was time to treat myself to another. This time I went for Falsh lash flutter as it was recommended by a fellow cosmetics obsessive (Hello Claire!) and i have not been disappointed  I've only had a chance to use this a few times as it's a very recent purchase however i have been really impressed with the results. The brush isn't too chunky which means i don't end up with massive clumps yet the formula seems to be quite thick which gives my lashes some life, making me look bright eyed and bushy tailed! I don't use any other eye make up so i need mascara to frame my eyes and this definitely does the trick. 

My last beauty find is a nail varnish to add to my ever growing collection! This is my first Bourjois nail varnish purchase and it is definitely one i would make again. I went for the So Laque Glossy in Adora-Bleu which is a beautiful shade, slightly darker than a pastel but perfect for the summer. I love the glossiness of this varnish and it reminds me of a less dense version of the Barry M Gelly varnish. It's very quick to apply as it only requires one layer to give a decent colour and i found it lasts for several days before chipping. This is definitely one i would repurchase in a range of colours. 

So there are my May favourites. What have you been using this month?

Benefit Hello flawless oxygen wow foundation - £22.50

L'oreal Falsh lash flutter - £10.99

Bourjois So laque glossy - £5.99

Lush BIG shampoo - £11.25

VO5 Give me texture - £3.49

Me me me Blush Box - £7.50

On my face this week #5

This week I've been shaking my routine up a little bit and have introduced a couple of new products that i wouldn't normally touch (shows how brave i'm getting!) into my make up bag.

The first new product (not so exciting) is a foundation that I've read so much about over the last few months. I'm always on the look out for that holy grail of foundations and i think i may have found it! No7 Stay perfect liquid foundation is the perfect consistency for my combination skin, it's not greasy or oily and blends perfectly. The main concern for me when buying foundation is the coverage. Unlike some lucky souls i need a foundation that gives medium coverage as sometimes my skin can be pretty bad. No7. covers all my of my spots without making my make up look cakey, giving me the natural finish that i strive for. When i visited the counter i was pretty overwhelmed as No7. offer a lot of colours but the assistant was extremely helpful! They were able to match my skin tone very precisely to 'Cool vanilla' and the colour is exactly what i need. For anyone looking for an everyday foundation i cannot recommend this foundation enough.

My next new product is a blusher (surprise surprise) from Sleek which is slightly different from my normal blusher choices. As someone with pale skin i tend to go for a 'English rose' look with natural skin and pink-ish cheeks, however when i spotted this colour i had to give it a whirl. The colour is called Pomegranate and is dark red with hints of rose tones. I'm always worried that wearing red tones will make me look too harsh but i was very impressed with the finish on this blush. The texture is really pigmented which means it lasts all day, and its very light on application which for the mere cost of £4.49 is a steal!

The last product I've been reaching for this week is an oldie but a goodie! Sexy Motherpucker by Soap & glory provides lip plumping action and a fantastic colour as well as a beautiful shine! The lip gloss is designed to enhance the volume of your lips and definitely makes a visible difference. I use this gloss in Candy apple which gives a very natural, nude colour, perfect for wearing alongside a dramatic cheek colour. For someone who doesn't normally touch lipgloss (like me) this is a perfect starting point!

No7 Stay perfect liquid foundation - £14

Sleek Blush in Pomegranate - £4.49

Sexy Mothpucker in Candy apple - £9

March favourites

This month has been a gold mine of new products and it's been really hard to choose just a handful as my favourites. My main weakness is definitely buying new make up and this seems to have extended to cover skincare and hair products too...

I'm going to start with my star buy of the month which has to be Boots coconut & almond Leave in conditioner. This is by far the easiest leave in conditioner I've ever used as you simply spray in just before drying. There's no water, no mess and no fussing around timing how long it needs to be left in. I love the smell but it's not so over powering that you smell like a fruit salad. I've been using this daily and my hair is so much softer and easier to manage, and at £1.39 a bottle it is amazing value for money.

Next up is a soap and glory gem - Dr Spot. I asked for some suggestions of a fast acting spot remedy and this seemed to crop up the most so i decided to take it for a spin. It's a gel formula which is designed to help reduce the redness and calm inflamed spots immediately. I have been using this product twice daily on any pesky blemishes that have cropped up and it definitely helps to soothe them. This formula is quite strong and dries out the skin so i would be careful with over-use but it's one to keep in the drawer in case of unwanted visitors.

I've invested in a few new foundations this month and one that I've been really impressed with is the Revlon Nearly Naked in colour Nude (150). I picked this up in a Boots 3-for-2 deal (every girls downfall) and have been using this as an evening foundation. This coverage is quite heavy for me and i was worried it may irritate my skin but it's been fantastic. It gives a very natural finish and doesn't leave you looking like you're caked in make up. I've been teaming this with another high street bargain from Collection 2000 which is their Lasting perfection concealer. This is perfect for anyone with pesky spots or dark circles as it comes with a little wand. I tend to use a small brush to buff it in but it gives excellent coverage. 

My last make up favourite this month is another Smashbox purchase but this time it's for eyebrows. I don't spend a lot of time on my eyebrows as i have such a heavy fringe you can never see them. However i'm thinking about giving the fringe up (gulp) so I've been trying to keep on top of eyebrow maintenance  The Smashbox Brow tech to go is a eyebrow crayon rather than a pencil and has a slightly thicker texture. It doesn't require sharpening so is always ready to use, and has a slightly slanted edge which makes it easy to define shape. This product also includes a small gel and brush on the end which is designed to help the eyebrow stay into place once it's been brushed and drawn in. I really like this as it makes everything look neater! 

My last March favourite is the Barry M gelly polish or as it's formally known 'Hi Shine Gel effect polish'. I am a big fan of Barry M and own most of the colours (oops) but i wasn't convinced this polish would be any better than the standard formula. However after reading overwhelmingly good reviews i gave into pressure and purchased the polish in Prickly Pear (a pastal purple) and Papaya (a beautiful coral). The colours are gorgeous and look really summery, but what's most impressive about these varnishes is the shine. The gelly formula not only makes the colour pop but gives a lovely sheen to the finish. The texture seems to be thicker than the standard varnishes so you only need one layer and the last is fantastic. 

So that is where all my money has gone this month. What have you been buying this month?

Boots coconut & almond Leave in conditioner - £1.39

Dr Spot - £8

Revlon Nearly Naked - £8.99

Brow tech to go - £19

Barry M gelly polish - £3.99

On my face this week #4

This weeks face has been all about simplicity and (as usual) keeping things as straightforward as possibly. With Boots AND Superdrug having 3 for 2 offers over the last few weeks (sorry bank balance) I have introduced some new products into my routine that I absolutely love.

This weeks focus has definitely been creating a good base. As someone who suffers from spots regularly i need a primer that smooths out my skin, providing me with a good canvas to work with. Enter Smashbox photo finish foundation primer! I'd read a lot about this before purchasing and it definitely lived up to the hype. I've been applying this primer straight after moisturising and have found it really helps to soften my skin as its texture is so silky and smooth. I'm always on the hunt for products that give me brighter skin, and this product definitely gives a glowing finish as well as helping my make up to last for much longer. I've been teaming this with the Me Me Me Beat the blues illuminator. Unfortunately i cannot take credit for this combination and i have the lovely ladies Nouvelle Daily to thank for this discovery! The idea of an illuminator is to highlight the good bits (the cheekbones or the brows) and combining this fantastic highlighter with the Smashbox primer makes my skin look dewy and iridescent  It's a perfect spring look, and takes no effort to pop a bit on in the mornings.

My next must have this week has to be the L'oreal false lash telescopic mascara. I'm fussy when it comes to mascara as i have quite sensitive eyes and not very much lash to work with but this mascara has ticked all the boxes. It delivers more on length then it does on volume, which is perfect for a natural, day time look. I absolutely adore the brush, it's very long and delicate which means you don't end up with huge clumps. As someone who doesn't wear any other eye make up i like some definition to my eyes and this mascara is ideal for that.

Last but certainly not least is my favourite product of this week (drum roll please) the long awaited and anticipated CC cream! I've been waiting to get my hands on a CC cream since their launch and after reading some positive reviews i decided to go with the L'oreal Paris Nude Magique CC Anti-Dullness Cream (what a mouthful). Now CC stands for 'Colour correcting' and the idea is it targets skin imperfections such as dullness or red patches, giving you a very even skin tone. I tend to have quite a dull complexion so i went for the anti-dullness which is a mauve colour. The texture of the cream is similar to a tinted moisturiser and gives a light coverage, so is perfect for the summer months. The formula is pigmented so it blends to your skin tone giving a flawless finish. It still baffles me that the cream blends so well without being initially matched to your skin tone, but it works! The product is very creamy and glides onto the skin wonderfully without making the skin feel heavy. I would definitely recommend this as a foundation replacement as i find even with my spotty skin it gives a very even coverage and even better it doesn't clog my pores, instead helping my skin to feel much clearer. 

What do you think of the new CC craze? 

Smashbox photo finish foundation primer - £25

Me Me Me Beat the blues illuminator - £5.50

L'oreal false lash telescopic mascara - £10.99

L'oreal Paris Nude Magique CC Anti-Dullness Cream - £9.99

Night skincare routine

My favourite time of day is without a doubt bedtime. Mainly because i get to sleep but partly because it's the only time of day that is guaranteed to allow me time to pamper my skin. Whether I've been running around like a headless chicken all day or not I will always dedicate a chunk of my evening to skincare. With so many amazing products floating around it can be hard to come up with a regular skin routine, but here's my bedtime routine that I've stuck to over the last few weeks. 

As a creature of habit I always use make up wipes to remove the bulk of my make up. I then use a eye make up remover to ensure all my mascara is wiped away. Garner Fresh essentials has been my number one choice for some time and i don't see that changing! I have very sensitive eyes which means i'm careful about the products i use but this is so gentle I've never had any problems. It also has extracts of grape which gives it a fresh and fruity smell as well as a soothing feel on the skin. Once I've removed my make up i wash my face to get rid of any leftover grime, my current bedtime face wash is Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ cleanser. This is a 3-in-1 product that can be used as a cleanser, scrub or mask, although i prefer it as a scrub. It's very creamy and soft which makes it perfect for my blemish prone skin! I've been really impressed with this product as it's given me really soft skin without stripping all my natural oils away. Once I've done this I use a toner, Clarins Toning lotion has been a firm favourite for some time now (I'm on my third bottle!) and is one I've mentioned before (you can find the review here). I love it because it leaves my skin feeling really cleansed and fresh, Once I've done this and i feel my skin is suitably clean i move on to my moisturising routine. I've been drawn to pore refining products recently as i have some large-ish pores on my nose, and Dr Jart's Up-tighten serum has proven to be a very successful treatment. It comes in the form of a gel and slides easily onto the skin once the skin has been toned. I've been using this product for a few weeks and have definitely noticed results when applying my make up. After this i normally use an all-over moisturiser. I love Garnier's new Moisture Match range, and my moisturiser of choice is their Revitalising and hydrating gel. I adore anything for dull skin as i'm always aiming for a glowing complexion and this product is perfect for brightening. The consistency is quite thick and a little goes a long way. It's perfect for my combination skin and doesn't irritate my spots. Lastly and just before i go to bed i apply a lip balm. My favourite at the moment is  the Elizabeth Arden Eight hour cream. This is a classic balm and one that I had heard lots of fantastic things about. On initial purchase i was under the impression that it was designed for extremely dry or damaged skin, but I've found it is also a perfect remedy for cracked lips. Applying it just before sleep means that without any effort i wake up with lovely soft lips. 

Garner Fresh essentials - £3.15

Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ cleanser - £11

Clarins Toning lotion - £18

Dr Jart's Up-tighten serum - £13

Garnier Revitalising and hydrating gel - £5.99

Elizabeth Arden Eight hour cream - £25

On my face this week #3

After a crazily busy week and with parents evening looming my beauty routine has been seriously reduced this week. With very little time on my hands (due to some ridiculously early mornings) i have been reaching for some very simple products that require absolutely no effort.

My main concern this week has been covering my huge black circles that have decided to attach themselves permanently to my peepers. For this i have been using L'oreal True match Touch Magique in Rose Beige. This concealer is an absolute life saver for covering up dark circles and blemishes (my ultimate enemies) as it not only conceals but illuminates the area. I apply this underneath my foundation and i find it really brightens my eyes. This product has a small brush attached to the end of it which makes it really easy to apply and blend. I also find this product lasts all day without drying my skin out, an absolute must have in any make up bag!

I've been trying to avoid using foundation this week to give my skin a bit of a breather as i've had a few break outs this month. Instead i have been using The Body shops all-in-one BB Cream. I'm a bit behind on the BB craze and I've only been using this for the last few months but i have been impressed with the results. The product comes out as a white pigmented cream which immediately transforms to match your skin tone. The cream is described as light-medium coverage and i would say it's definitely leaning towards the light end. It blends beautifully into the skin, and when accompanied with a concealer (on those areas that need a little more coverage) it gives a great even result. I find this to be very hydrating on my skin, which is exactly what is needed after such a harsh winter.

Since wearing lipstick on a regular basis i've been really keen to start experimenting with 'statement lips'. However i haven't been brave enough to try out a red yet, instead i've been working my way up to this and testing out some bolder pink tones. My latest purchase from L'oreal is from their Rogue Caresse Range, Colour 203 'Rock 'n Mauve'. This appears to be quite a dramatic purple, but when applied to the lips is more of a dark pink. The main reason I love this lipstick is because it's so moisturising and hydrates your lips without feeling greasy. I've worn this lipstick on a few nights and found i've only needed to re-apply it once throughout the whole evening, which at under £9 is definitely value for money.

What lipsticks have you been wearing this week?

L'oreal True match Touch Magique - £8.19

The Body shops all-in-one BB Cream - £12.00

Rogue Caresse Colour 203 'Rock 'n Mauve' - £8.19

February favourites

As February has drawn to a close and we're finally getting some warm(ish) weather I have decided to write about my most reached for products this month.This has been a big month for new products (sorry bank balance) and some new firm favourites have been established. 

I'm going to start with my most used product which has without a doubt been Rituals brightening face exfoliator. Anyone who's been around me in the last month will have heard me rave about Rituals and they are definitely my favourite skincare brand at the moment. As someone who suffers with blemishes and rough skin, exfoliating is really important. However i often find that exfoliators can be quite harsh, and leave me feeling like i've washed my face with a scouring pad. Rituals have put a stop to this with their creamy exfoliating scrub which leaves my skin feeling soft and looking bright. It's really gentle, so perfect for people with sensitive skin and can be used everyday if needed. I've teamed this with Rituals intensive moisturising mask, which i've been using twice a week. This winter has left me with really dry skin so it's needed rescuing and this face mask has helped to hydrate my skin, leaving it really supple. 

I've teamed my Rituals products with Clarins Toning lotion which has quickly become a staple in my beauty routine. This toner is absolutely gorgeous and does exactly what it says on the bottle! I'm always wary of toners as sometimes they can make your skin feel tight, however this toning lotion leaves skin feeling fresh without sucking all the moisture out. This is perfect for oily skin as it leaves moisture where it needs to be whilst cleansing away excess oils. It may seem steep at £18.00 but it's worth every penny, and a little bit definitely goes a long way. 

Now on to lips! I've only started using lipstick in the last year and this has meant i've started to take better care of my lips. Every girl knows that exfoliating your lips can be a chore, but Lush have found a way to take the effort out of having beautifully soft lips. Lush popcorn lip scrub is a scrummy exfoliant for lips that can be applied before using other lip products. Simply take a small amount, gently work into lips, lick away the excess and ta-dah! I really enjoy using this as i like the result and the taste. I have found some people that dislike the taste and find it too sweet, but if this is the case it's easy enough to wipe away the excess using a cotton pad. I would recommend using a mirror to apply this, as you can end up looking like you have sugar around your mouth!

My most used lipstick this month has been MAC Cremesheen in Coral Bliss . This has shot straight to the top of my most used lipsticks with no competition  It's a beautiful light coral which looks almost pink. I've found this lipstick to be quite subtle, so perfect for everyday use. It has a really rich, thick texture so it lasts without fading and easily glides onto lips. I find with cheaper lipsticks that they can show up every imperfection on your lips, unlike the MAC cremesheen which gives a very glossy finish. I'm definitely going to be trying out more of the colours in this collection.

My last face favourite this month is another MAC product (my obsession is definitely growing) but this time it's a blusher (surprise surprise!) The MAC mineralize blush in Dainty is a pretty pink with a slight shimmer. Shimmer is something i normally steer clear of, for fear i may look like i've been covered in glitter. However the shimmer in this blusher is so subtle it simply deepens the pink tone, giving a really healthy glow to cheeks. It blends well with foundation without looking too heavy, making it perfect for an everyday look.I love this blusher because it is so pigmented it lasts all day without needing to be reapplied, definitely a plus when you're working without breaks all day!

Last but not least is a Nail Varnish which i've been waiting for quite a while to try. Essie Nail varnish has a great reputation and has recently been launched in retail stores such as Boots and Superdrug in the U.K. It's taken off with a bang and i can definitely see why. I tried it in Guchi Muchi Puchi, a bright pink perfect for the spring and it lived up to my expectations! It was really easy to apply, and only needed two layers to give great coverage. The colour is gorgeous although i found it to be slightly too pink for an everyday varnish (i had some clashing outfits!) I was quite disappointed with it's lasting power as i needed to re-apply after about 3 days because it was really chipped. However the varnish was easy to take off and once re-applied dried really quickly. I would definitely use Essie again as their colours are beautiful, although i may go for something slightly less pink next time!

What have your beauty favourites been this month?

Rituals brightening face exfoliator - £10.50

Rituals intensive moisturising mask - £13.50

Clarins Toning lotion - £18

Lush popcorn lip scrub - £5.25

MAC Cremesheen in Coral Bliss  - £14

MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty - £19

Essie Nail varnish in Guchi Muchi Puchi - £7.99