Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream

Eye cream has always felt a little unnecessary to me. There’s no rule anywhere that says that you can’t just use a face cream if suitable, if like me though you suffer with sensitive peepers, you may find yourself searching the endless brands and formulations of eye creams that are currently available on the high street.

I’m not one to fall into the hype or marketing campaigns for that matter, but when I received a sample of new Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream with my recent order I made a note in my diary to purchase a tube on its release date – it was love at first application. The Pep-start Eye Cream in all honesty is the only eye cream I’ve ever used where I can visibly see a difference to the texture and overall appearance of my under eye area. For application I’ve found that the use of my ring finger works best, the applicator that’s provided does feel a little bulky/unnecessary which I guess is my only drawback with this product.

This eye cream feels super hydrating, it has done an amazing job at improving the texture around my eyes. Similar to most eye creams, this feels incredibly refreshing to use and has a lightweight, silky texture that doesn’t feel at all heavy or greasy on my skin. I don’t believe any eye cream can improve dark circles or wrinkles, if I’m totally honest I think that’s mainly down to good genes, diet, lifestyle and sleep (something I’m lacking!) In terms of hydration and making me look bright eyed and bushy tailed this eye creams a winner!  

Over the winter I have been unable to use my cream concealers (eg. Bobbi Brown Corrector) they have gone a little solid and are harder to warm up and apply, with the addition of the Pep-Start eye cream I’ve found concealer glides onto my under eye area, it doesn’t ball up or appear flaky (I suffer with super dry under eyes) Pep-Start creates an amazing base for concealer and I’m even willing to say extends longevity of my concealer.

If you suffer with dehydrated under eyes, or are looking for a nice base for concealer the Clinique Pep-Start Eye cream will be for you! What are your favourite eye creams?

Products I Used Up - October

It's that time of the year again, where I post some pictures of trash and tell you all about the beauty products I recently used up. Empties posts aren't a regular feature on my blog and here's why, in all honesty, I rarely buy new products, I tend to have two/three major beauty splurges throughout the year and use the products I love everyday until well...they are all used up! Because of this my empties posts can seem repetitive, more often than not I do repurchase the same products, especially when it comes to body and skincare. However, as I had a few new products to share I thought why not, so here's what I used up recently. I'll probably split this into two posts as there's too many products hehe -

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish - I bang on about this all the time on social media/blog so I won't go into a full review and bore you all to tears. The Cleanse & Polish is a cult classic for me, it's a cleanser I will  always repurchase. The bottle shown here is Jasmine & Osmanthus, a scent that was released over summer, you can read more about it over here.

Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm - A repurchase for me, Cult Beauty have an offer where you receive three 50ml cleansing balms along with three of the EH cloths for only £38. A total bargain considering 1x 100ml tub retails at £38.00. I've tried and love this cleansing balm, especially during the cooler months. You can read a full review here.

Sweet Cecily's Elderflower and Almond Hand Cream* - An all natural hand cream that's housed in a cute reusable glass jar. Although this hand cream felt quite luxurious on my skin I did find it to be a tad too oily for everyday use, I instead opted to use this at nighttime before bed. I'm generally a fan of sweet scents, but the scent of this was so overwhelming, it gave me a headache. Just a tad too sweet smelling for me.

REN Vita 7 Eye Gel (mini) - I've made quite a few REN orders recently and have always received a generous amount of samples with my orders, including this eye gel. I have since repurchased the full size of this as it's so refreshing and hydrating on my sensitive eyes. This provides a perfect base for concealer. Expect a full review of this and a few other eye creams I've been loving ...soon.

The Body Shop Satsuma perfume - love. If you like the scent that runs through the Body Shop Satsuma range, you'll love this scent. I would definitely repurchase this, it's perfect for my handbag.

Antonia Burrell 7 in 1 Supreme Mask - you can read my full review of this mask and other items in the Antonia Burrell Discovery Kit over here. I definitely would not repurchase this mask, but you can read more on that in my full review.

Claris Eye Makeup Remover - I didn't feel like this effectively removed my eye makeup. After two cotton pads soaked with the eye makeup remover I still found that my cleanser removed traces of mascara. Definitely not for me.

The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser - Full review over here. I've repurchased this moisturiser as for me, it's a more effective version of the Origins Ginzing, for some reason this just works better with my skin. It provides my skin with just the right amount of hydration and works well with my Liz Earle Cleanser & toner.

The Body Shop Hemp Foot Protector - I've repurchased this one, it does all the hard work for me. This cream keeps my feet hydrated, smooth, soft and sexy (well as sexy as a foot can get) - I wouldn't be without a tub.

What products have you used up recently?

REN Glow And Go Kit

Everyone wants gorgeous, glowing skin. Water intake, exercise and a balanced diet are all main contributors to achieving a radiant complexion, but every once in awhile we all need a helping hand so today I thought I'd share two wonderful products from REN that not only promote radiance but have also improved my skin texture and tone.

Superdrug Vitamin E Refreshing Toning Mist

A few months ago I found myself in quite the predicament, after using the last few drops of my Liz Earle Skin Tonic (a firm favourite and constant repurchase) I felt lost and my skin started to suffer.

Liz Earle Limited Edition Cleanser - Jasmine & Osmanthus

For many years now I've had a long term love affair with all things Liz Earle, I've dabbled into other skin care brands, but I know that I can always rely on Liz Earle to get my skin back in tip top condition. The Cleanse & Polish cleanser is a cult classic so when I heard that Liz Earle had added a new limited edition scent to their tempting trio I was super excited to try it. A review by one of my favourite bloggers had me sold - Anoushka Loves (be sure to check out her blog after reading this post of course!)

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Enhancer & Moisturiser

Dull, tired, grumpy skin? You need The Body Shop Vitamin C products in your skin care line up. At this time of year my skin becomes a little unhappy, the transition from Winter to Spring/Summer leaves my skin looking dehydrated, dull and just plain yuk. When I first heard about the new products that were recently added to the TBS Vitamin C range I just knew I had to head to my nearest store to try the products in person - it was pretty much love at first use! As you can imagine both the moisturiser and enhancer have a gorgeous citrus, sweet scent, at first I was a little apprehensive as my sensitive skin doesn't always react very well to fragrance in skincare products, however the Vitamin C line is naturally scented without perfume. I've been using both products for around four weeks now and my skin has never looked brighter, my skin looks more radiant and I put it down to these two products, here are my thoughts -

Vitamin C Instant Glow Skin Enhancer £14.00 
If you are looking for an instant fix the skin enhancer will be perfect for you. I tend to use this product as a primer underneath makeup, but it works really well on its own too -it's perfect for no makeup days! I find that the peachy pigment instantly brightens up my dull, sallow skin. This feels refreshing when applied to the skin and the scent is so uplifting on tired mornings. When I use this my makeup stays fresher for longer, this manages to add a healthy glow without looking glittery or making my skin look sweaty. You do have to work this product into the skin quickly as it dries almost instantly, I quite like this though, as it doesn't leave a tacky layer on my skin like other primers I have tried. I'm quite surprised at how much I have enjoyed using this product as I haven't been a fan of any of the other TBS primers. I like that this doesn't have silicone texture, it works really well with my combination skin.

Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser £16.00 
The Vitamin C moisturiser has a fresh, lightweight formula that feels slightly cooling on the skin. This hydrates my skin and over the four weeks I have been using this I have noticed a huge improvement in my skin. My skin looks plumper, brighter and healthier. With this having a gel texture I can imagine it will be perfect for the Summer months, unlike other gel moisturisers I have tried that tend to sit on the skin, TBS one absorbs really well - it feels like my skin drinks this stuff up. If you suffer with dull or dry skin, then you may enjoy this moisturiser as much as I do. Before I started using this I was suffering with dry patches, but a few weeks on and the texture of my skin has improved so much. I love this stuff.

I'd love to try more products from the Vitamin C range the Microdermabrasion and Skin Reviver serum are on the top of my to buy list at the moment. I'm super impressed with both of the products I've tried, both of the products not only smell amazing, but also are super effective at brightening up my skin, I wouldn't hesitate to repurchase or recommend the products I have tried. 

Are you a fan of the The Body Shop Vitamin C range? What are your favourite glow boosting products? 

P.S There aren't currently any promotions on but it's certainly worth waiting I managed to buy these two when there was £10 of any £25 order!

Products I Used Up - May

I can't believe it's been over a year since I wrote an empties post on my blog. I recently started sharing the majority of my empties over on Instagram, by posting throughout the month I don't have to hang onto leaky products! I seem to have used up lots of skincare, a few body care products and even one makeup item over the last few months, so, I thought I'd share with you the products I've used up. Some items I have already repurchased, others I'd probably give a miss -

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic - I've mentioned this toner on my blog/social media quite a few times so I won't go into too much detail. The Liz Earle Skin tonic calms my skin and helps to keep my skin clear. It feels incredibly hydrating on my skin, no other toner works for me quite like this one does.

Bio Essence Moisturising Gel - This moisturiser is lightweight yet super hydrating, my skin loved this. I can imagine it would be perfect for Summer. I wouldn't repurchase this, I got through the 50ml tub so quickly. I have similar moisturisers that last 5-6 months, whereas this one lasted for 2 months. Not impressed.

Ginger & Co Double Up - Creamy Body Wash* - I received some Ginger & Co products back in February, I'm surprised at how long this creamy body wash has lasted! Great value for money considering I used this almost every day. This creamy body wash had a lovely, sweet smell and left my skin hydrated.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish - Orange Flower and Chamomile - My favourite cleanser, I think that I even love this more than the original Cleanse & Polish. This limited edition C&P has a lovely fresh scent, the texture is slightly lighter than the original and overall I think that this one is more effective at removing my makeup. At Christmas I stocked up on this, but sadly this was my last bottle so I'll be purchasing the original. Liz Earle…please add this one to your permanent line!

Soap and Glory Flake Away - My favourite S&G scrub (after the Breakfast scrub of course!) This scrub buffs away dead skin, smells yummy and doesn't clog my drain. I couldn't really ask for anything more from a body scrub!

Oskia Renaissance Cleanser - I've repurchased this cleanser a few times now, although I do quite like this, I'll be going back to creamy cleansers for the Summer months. I find that cream cleansers are more effective at removing makeup. The Oskia cleanser leaves my skin super hydrated, and also brightens my skin, but I find that balm cleansers are more suited through the Winter months when my skin feels slightly drier.

Bioderma - I bought this last July in France and I've only just finished this - great value for money! Although for me this doesn't deserve all the hype it receives (I still find myself using like six cotton pads to remove makeup) I would probably still repurchase this. Since this ran out i've tried a few budget micellar waters that have broken my skin out real bad. It's handy to have something like this in my skincare basket for a pre cleanse. If you have sensitive skin, Bioderma really is worth the extra cash.

I Love…Coconut Cream and Mango & Papaya shower gel - Already repurchased these products as they are purse friendly, and smell incredibly! My skin smells and feels amazing after I use the I love…range.

Clinique Instant Perfector - I'm already feeling a little bit lost without this, the Clinique Instant Perfector blurs pores and mattifies my skin without making it dry or cakey. This is great under makeup as a primer or for touch ups throughout the day. It's great for the Summer months when my skins more oily.

What products have you used up lately? Are you a fan of empties posts or do you prefer them to be posted elsewhere? Have you tried any of the products in this post?

*PR Sample

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion

Got hayfever? Then you have to try the Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion. With witch hazel, aloe Vera and cornflower this lotion feels super cooling on tired, puffy or irritated eyes.

If you suffer with hayfever you might be familiar with itchy, irritated eyes, mine are terrible around this time of the year, thing’s get puffy and watery – mascara is well and truly out of the equation! I recently received a teeny sample of the Liz Earle Eyebright (Liz Earle always includes amazing samples with online purchases!) This eye lotion is unlike anything I have previously tried as it comes in a similar bottle to toners, you pour the product onto cotton wool, hold over your eyes and wipe gently. The eyebright solution feels cooling, refreshing and really helps to reduce puffy eyes. Although, I would still recommend applying an eye cream, the eye bright solution isn’t at all drying on my eyes – it’s great for even the most sensitive of peepers.

My eyes always look less tired and brighter when I use Eyebright. For evening use the Eyebright solution also does a fantastic job of removing any leftover mascara, which is great for me as there’s nothing worse than panda eyes in the morning!

So, the question I can imagine you are asking is do I need this? And I have to be honest before trying I probably would have said no, however, since trying this I have to say yes! I feel like the Liz Earle Eyebright solution is a great alternative for a twenty something year old (like me) who always forgets eye cream (and generally neglects the skin around my eye area.) In the mornings this feels so refreshing, and instantly brightens up my eye area without leaving a greasy layer.

Since finishing this sample I actually quite miss it, which I guess is a sign I must have really enjoyed using it! I wouldn’t hesitate to repurchase this.

I’d love to know if you are a fan of the Liz Earle Eyebright? What are your favourite eye care products?

Bio-Essence Hydra Tri-Action Moisturising Gel

The 'new in' section on Cult Beauty can be a dangerous place for a skincare addict like me.

One evening whilst having my daily browse I came across Bio-Essence, a Singapore brand that's recently launched here in the UK. It's so great to see more brands now readily available for us here in the UK. As far as I'm aware Bio-Essence is only stocked on Cult Beauty, who currently stock a whole range of products from the Hydra-Tri action range which includes a makeup jelly remover (?), overnight mask, hydrating toner and a moisturising gel which is something I'm going to write about today.

This moisturising gel is targeted at dehydrated, combination or oily skin types, as my skin is all of the above, I thought it would be perfect for me and I wasn't wrong. As you would expect this moisturiser has an ultra lightweight texture that still manages to feel incredibly nourishing on my skin. This non pore clogging formula doesn't sit on the skin, which oddly enough is something I have experienced with other gel moisturisers, this one absorbs instantly which I mainly put down to the hyaluronic acid.

This moisturiser feels instantly cooling on the skin, making it the perfect partner for those groggy mornings. Despite this containing cranberry extract the scent is far from fruity, this smells similar to aloe vera or cucumber (sounds odd) I'm personally a fan of the scent, it smells so fresh, but as it's quite unique I can imagine there will be some people who aren't so keen…the good news is it doesn't linger for too long!

I feel like it would be rude not to give mention to the packaging as it's just so pretty. The reflective blue metallic packaging reminds me of a mermaid (must be the colour.) Prettiness aside, I was initially apprehensive with the packaging as this kind of tub usually has a lid that doesn't fasten well (ahem Emma Hardie looking at you) however rest assured the lid does fasten securely, the product seems to stay cool and fresh - it's an all round winner.

For what feels like forever I have always felt the need to swap  moisturisers dependant on the season, but with the Bio-Essence Moisturising gel I feel like I'm pretty much covered for the changing seasons. This moisturiser has given my skin the extra boost of hydration it needed through the winter months, but I can see this working perfectly for Spring/Summer when my skin leans more on the oily side. It's the perfect consistency.

If you suffer with oily/combination, sensitive or dehydrated skin I'd highly recommend this product, super dry skin types may crave a little more hydration, but for those of you who enjoy a moisturiser that sinks in almost instantly and creates a perfect canvas for makeup this is perfect.

Have you tried any Bio-Essence products?

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic

So hands up who overindulged during the festive period? Yup, thought so. Let's face it the pull to dive into chocolate tins, eat endless roast dinners and enjoy the occasional boozy affair is way to strong to resist over the festive period …and if you did resist pat on the back to you please share your secret! If, like me you are now suffering with the aftermath (I'm talking a serious case of pizza face guys) then the Lush Catastrophe mask is just what you need.

Cupcake had to be my most repurchased mask of 2013 (review here) however Catastrophe stole the top spot in 2014 and I can't see it budging any time soon (sorry Cupcake fans.) Described as a calming and nourishing mask Catastrophe Cosmetic is the perfect face mask for congested skin. I find that this really helps to clear up my skin, it calms down any angry spots. Key ingredients include blueberries, chamomile and almond oil (which helps to soften the skin) so it's no wonder that this mask leaves my skin feeling incredibly refreshed and super soft. Although this does dry down like your conventional clay mask this doesn't suck up all the moisture from my skin it never leaves me with that stripped/tight feeling and unlike other fresh face masks in the range this isn't a complete faff to remove -  so it's a win/win really!

For when my skin is congested I find that Catastrophe Cosmetic gets to work fast, and let's face it that's what we all want a quick fix! This hydrating yet purifying mask is just what your skin needs after the festive period, certainly one to try if you are in the market for a new face mask.

What's your favourite Lush fresh mask? What are your favourite treatments for congested skin?

P.S Don't forget to up your water intake and eat lots of fruit/veggies to truly notice the biggest difference in your skin. My detox officially started yesterday!

2014 Beauty Favourites - Drugstore

Happy New Year everyone, hope everyone had a lovely evening.

So here we are it is the final instalment of my yearly favourites, and today we are talking drugstore. This year in my opinion the drugstore really upped their game, with new releases left right and centre there was certainly more excitement surrounding some of my favourite drugstore brands. Slowly the gap between high end and drugstore is levelling out I'll be excited to see what new releases are in store for 2015, but for now here are my 2014 favourites - 

Lip Favourites 

Bourjois Plum Russian - I'll always be a plum girl at heart barely a day goes by where I don't apply Plum Russian. I featured this in my 2013 Top Picks, although the chubby stick is still going strong it won't be long before a repurchase will be on the cards. The glossy, long lasting formula of the Bourjois Colour Boost Chubby stick makes them an absolute essential for me. 

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks -  We all seemed  a little hot under the collar at Bourjois liquid lipstick release during Summer. I resisted the hype with these for so long, in all honesty I'd never tried a liquid lipstick where I was sold on the formula they always seemed to be hit or miss, Bourjois offering was certainly a hit with me. A matte yet hydrating finish, a long lasting opaque formula - I just love the Bourjois Velvet Lipsticks.

Makeup Revolution Lipstick in Reckless - It's fair to say I've well and truly gotten my pounds worth with this £1 lipstick from Makeup Revolution. For me it's the perfect cross between a berry/plum shade it's a lovely everyday shade and the formula is pretty spot on too, I find myself reaching for this so much as it's just so wearable.

Hair & Body Favourites

Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment - Hair growing gimmicks aside this hair mask performs like no other. My hair always feels softer, more manageable and healthy looking when I use this hair mask. It conditions my ends, and when my hair is in dire need of a haircut I find that this mask still makes my hair look in better condition than it actually is. A standout product and one I haven't hesitated to repurchase.

Lush Rub Rub Rub - I'm on my second tub of this blue gooey goodness by Lush. This is a great multi use scrub, for a more abrasive scrub you can apply this to dry skin but for a gentler exfoliation you can apply this to damp skin. My skin always feels so much softer after I use this, and although it's not your most conventional scrub (in terms of texture/smell) I find that this works so well for me.

Face Favourites

Revlon Nearly Naked - Drugstore foundations are a little hit and miss for me, however in 2014 I discovered the Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation and I found myself reaching for it so much during the summer time. This foundation offers a light to medium coverage and leaves my skin looking natural, fresh and dewy - it's the perfect foundation for Spring/Summer.

Lush Emotional Brilliance - Okay, so not the most convenient of packaging but the fact I still reach for this so much when it's so darn messy must mean it's true love right? This salmon pink powder is designed to be used over foundation to mop up excess oil and prevent that dreaded shine throughout the day. This leaves zero colour on my skin which is great for me as translucent powders usually appear ashy on my skin tone.

S&G One Heck of a Blot - If the Lush packaging just won't work for you, I also wanted to include the S&G One Heck of a Blot powder. This finely milled powder mops up excess shine and is a handbag essential for me during the warmer months. Again there's zero colour payoff so this really is suitable for all skin tones, it doesn't appear ashy/chalky on darker skin tones.

I'd love to know what your favourite 2014 drugstore products were?

2014 Beauty Favourites - Skincare and Hair

To follow on from yesterday's post I thought I'd show you my standout skincare and haircare products from 2014. You may notice that only two brands have made an appearance, the truth is as I mentioned in yesterdays post I'm very much a creature of habit, although I've tried other brands throughout the year the two brands mentioned in today's posts are ones I always see myself returning too. For skincare my skin benefits from consistency, I've found myself using the same products throughout the year and my skin has really benefited. As for haircare I find most products samsie, they all generally do a similar job so I've tried to include two products that ticked all the boxes and surpassed my expectation - 

Skin Favourites 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish - There's no denying this is my most repurchased cleanser ever. The Liz Earle C&P just works for me. It removes makeup, cleanses my skin and always leaves everything looking calm and clear. I never hesitate to repurchase this, and I always feel slightly on edge when I don't have a bottle in my skincare basket. Suffering with eczema/sensitive skin it can be hard to find products that don't irritate my skin but Liz Earle's natural, simple yet effective products seem to keep my skin looking healthy. 

Liz Earle Skin Tonic - I used to think toners were just an additional step that my skin didn't really benefit from, this was until I discovered the Liz Earle Skin Tonic. I'm on my fourth bottle, which says a lot as I never repurchase toners. Although some may try this an think 'is that all' I find the aloe in this toner leaves my skin calm, cool and refreshed. It's a perfect companion for the summer months but I also use this through the winter months, as unlike other toners this never strips my skin or leaves my skin feeling tight/dry.

Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser - Similar to some of the other Liz Earle products I've mentioned this is another repurchased item for me, I'm currently on my second tub. This cream has an almost buttery texture but I find that this does such a brilliant job in terms of hydration, I only need the tiniest amount. I use this through summer/winter months (although I generally use the oily/combination version for summer.) This moisturiser never leaves my skin super greasy, and although it's pretty basic I find (similar to all Liz Earle products) my skin loves this! 

On a side note….It's not very often I find a brand that works for me in 2013 I was on and off with Liz Earle but in 2014 I've been more consistent and I must say my skin just loves the brand. Spots are kept to a minimum, my skin looks radiant and clear I really don't know where I'd be without Liz Earle. If you suffer with sensitive skin I highly recommend Liz Earle, simple yet effective products which is just what I want from my skincare. 

Hair Favourites 

When it comes to haircare I've always been a drugstore girl, however in 2014 I branched out and tried some more 'high end' products and have to say I haven't looked back. Although both of the products mentioned aren't the most affordable, they're both still pretty full and I've owned both for a year! So if you are thinking of investing in your hair in 2015 I highly recommend introducing some Ojon into your life. 

Ojon Rare Blend Protecting Treatment - The award for best smelling hair product goes too… yes there's no denying this smells incredible with a blend of Ginsing, Lemongrass and Honey this really is a treat for the hair. This multi use treatment acts as a heat protectant spray, detangler, and also helps to prevent damage and breakage. After using this my hair is smoother, shinier and more manageable. When I use this Vs when I don't use this I notice the biggest difference in the texture and finish of my hair. This hydrates and conditions my ends, you can use this on dry or wet hair it's just such a brilliant product and I wouldn't hesitate to repurchase.

Ojon Revitalising Mist -  So, 2014 was officially the year that I waved goodbye to frizz. I've tried so many balms, serums, oils and sprays in varying prices none of which have ever made a noticeable difference to frizz, especially in humid weather, however the Ojon Revitalising Mist does just that. This mist protects my hair in all environments, gone is the dreaded poof that my hair adopts in the warmer months. This feels conditioning in the hair without weighing it down, or making it greasy. It's very rare that I find a product that genuinely fights frizz but Ojon certainly haven't disappointed. And yes, again as with all Ojon products this smells like salon hair in a bottle. 

So there we have it my skincare and haircare favourites from 2014. Keep an eye out for my final roundup post, it will include my favourite drugstore discoveries from 2014 perfect for dreaded January which sees us all working to a slightly tighter budget! 

On another side note...Whether you are staying at home rocking a onesie or partying the night away I wish everyone an amazing New Years Eve I hope everyone has a safe night and rings in the New Year with loved ones. Cheers to 2015, let's hope it's a good one. 

#BigBlogmasproject2014 #17 Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

Moisturiser is a part of my skincare routine that changes a lot throughout the year, mainly due to the fact that I get bored or my skins needs change. During the winter time my skin always looks a little weather beaten, the cooler weather leaves my skin feeling dry and a little lack lustre. Finding the right moisture that offers hydration, without feeling incredibly greasy or heavy on the skin proved a difficult challenge, but over recent months I introduced the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream into my routine and my skin seems to be loving it.

I bought this Kiehl's cream towards the beginning of November so I've been using this for just over a month now. The cream has a gel like texture, something I've not always been sold on in the past but Kiehl's has really changed my mind. Gel creams in my experience sometimes have a tendency to leave a film on the skin, or don't feel as though they have absorbed into the skin- which sounds odd but the majority I have tried don't really hydrate my skin. With the gel texture this moisturiser is incredibly lightweight, and feels slightly cooling on the skin which I find super refreshing in the morning, oh and it absorbs really well too it's totally changed my mind on gel creams.

The Kiehl's cream claims to offer 24 hour hydration which isn't something I can particular say I've tested as I usually do my skincare routine morning and night. However during the week I walk to and from work a lot with my previous moisturiser I was noticing that my skin looked a little dry/flaky towards the end of the day. Since using the Kiehl's moisturiser I haven't found this to be a problem at all, I generally find that my forehead and cheeks are super dry but my nose is more on the oily side, this cream works well at hydrating the areas of my face that need it without leaving other parts greasy.

I wouldn't say my skin has improved in leaps and bounds since introducing this moisturiser into my skincare routine as I'm a firm believer in diet/exercise when it comes to skincare, plus I never think one sole product can drastically transform the skin however I must say my skins been feeling incredibly soft, plump, hydrated and less dull so for that I'm grateful to Kiehl's.

Are you a fan of the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream?

#BigBlogmasproject2014 #11 Winter Essentials

As soon as we hit Autumn/Winter I have my annual battle to keep both my skin and body hydrated. Cooler weather seems to zap what little moisture I have left resulting in dry flaky patches and dull skin. Over the years I've discovered some lovely products that do a wonderful job of keeping everything hydrated, some may call them my 'winter essentials' so for today's post I thought I'd share them with you. Worth noting not every product mentioned is included in the picture purely for framing …I didn't want it to look too cluttered.

Let's start with skincare

Scrubs 
Winter time is perhaps the only time of the year where I can get away with a manual exfoliator. Exfoliators seem to receive a lot of hate in the blogosphere, but the days of the St Ives Apricot Scrub are over guys there are so many gentle alternatives available. Although I am a fan of chemical exfoliators I don't always notice results, whereas with manual exfoliators I can see an instant result which is what my skin needs during winter.
My picks - Clinique 7 Day Scrub, Lush Buche De Noel, Pai Kukui and Jojoba Bead Scrub

A Hydrating Night Cream
With my skin feeling super dry during the winter months I find myself reaching for richer night creams. I love applying hydrating night creams as I feel like my skin literally drinks them up, the creams I use would be too rich for daytime use, but I find by applying them at night my skin feels incredibly soft and super hydrated in the morning.
My picks- Clinique Turnaround Night Cream, Kiehl's Ultra Cream, Antipodes Nourishing Pear Night Cream, The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream

Hydrating Masks 
For those days where my skin just needs that added boost of moisture I love to apply hydrating masks. I'm a big fan of clay masks, I love Catastrophe Cosmetic by Lush. It has the texture of a clay mask, applies and dries like a clay mask but when rinsed away my skin doesn't feel tight, stripped or dehydrated - hard qualities to find in a clay mask. I'm also a fan of the clear, cooling face masks as they leave my skin feeling refreshed, radiant and super soft.
My picks - Antipodes Manuka Honey face mask, Origins Overnight Drink up, Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic

Body & Lips

Scrubs 
Similar to my skin my body craves a good scrub during the cooler months. Although I'm a big fan of dry brushing my skin feels a little more sensitive in winter so I find manual scrubs do the job without irritating my skin.
My picks - S&G Breakfast Scrub, Lush Ocean Salt, Lush Rub Rub Rub, S&G Flake Away

Body Butters 
I love a good rich body butter after a relaxing bath in the evening (which is something I generally do more during winter.) Body Butters leave my skin feeling incredibly soft, I find the smell super uplifting especially citrus scents during the winter time.
My picks - The Body Shop Body Butter, Boots Extracts Mango Body Butter, S&G The Righteous Body Butter

The Lazy Option (for instant hydration) 
If you're anything like me you may find it even harder to leave that warm bed during the winter time, let's face it when it's cold and dark outside it's hard to find the motivation to get up. During the winter time I find myself running late a lot more, for days when I'm super late and have no time for body butters I love to go for an in shower body moisturiser. So far I've only found one that actually hydrates the skin it's is the Lush Body Conditioner in African Paradise. Expect a full review of this real soon, but basically you apply this in the shower after shower gel and rinse away. This is the only product (of this nature) that I've found genuinely leaves a layer of moisturiser

Lips 
I can't be without lip balm during the cooler months, my lips get so dry, cracked and just plain sore. For some reason I've struggled more this year than previous years I'm not sure why but they are just so sore.
My picks- Nuxe Rev De Miel, Elizabeth 8 Hour Cream, Nivea Vanilla and Macadamia Balm

I'd love to know what your winter essentials are?

#BigBlogmasproject2014 #6 Winter Pamper Routine (Hair, Skin and Body)

During the winter months I absolutely love a good pamper, so today I thought I'd show you some of the products that are currently in my routine - 

Now, no pamper routine is complete without a Lush bath bomb. I generally save Lush bath bombs for pamper nights, or when I'm in need of a treat. One of my favourite bath bombs is Butterball as it not only smells incredible but also hydrates the skin. When I saw they had released a Butter Bear bath bomb in their Christmas limited edition range I had to have it, I mean just look how cute he is. Butter Bear has the same incredible vanilla, coconut scent and still has the same hydrating properties as Butterball. This kind of coats the water with a layer of cocoa butter leaving dry skin super hydrated. I'm struggling to see the Christmas relevance but please add this to your permanent line Lush, it's too cute to be limited edition. 

I'm a huge fan of dry brushing, but during winter my skin seems to be a little more sensitive so I've been reaching for some of my favourite scrubs. S&G scrubs, and Lush Rub Rub Rub will always have a permanent spot in my bathroom cabinet. More recently though I've loved the Boots Extract Mango Sugar Scrub. This buffs away skin, and smells amazing. Although this fruity scent would probably be most suited to summer I'm absolutely loving how invigorating this makes me feel, the scent really wakes me up and my skin always feels silky smooth after using this, which does surprise me as I'm not usually the biggest fan of sugar scrubs.

Post bath I'm using a matching body butter, the Boots Extract Mango Body Butter. The scent is pretty similar to The Body Shop mango body butter, however I actually prefer the texture of this one. This rich creamy body butter melts into the skin instantly and leaves me feeling super soft and hydrated. Although this has a thick texture it never leaves me feeling greasy which is brill as most body butters normally do!

For my hair I've been using the Cynthia Sylvia Stout shampoo by Lush. This cleans my hair really well without leaving it feeling stripped, this also doesn't irritate my scalp. Although this does contain beer don't let that put you off as it actually has a fruity citrus scent that leaves the hair super refreshed. I love that this shampoo manages to leave my hair super soft and incredibly shiny (I'll be writing up a post in the new year with a few reviews on Lush haircare so look out for that.) After shampoo I like to stick on a hair mask, I usually like to apply this before my bath as I find the heat from the bath helps the mask to work harder. I'm usually cheap and cheerful in this category, I've been loving the John Frieda Miraculous Recovery Mask. This mask really hydrates my dry ends, this leaves my hair super smooth and I do find this makes my hair a lot less tangly, it's certainly a hair mask that I notice a difference with.

I normally complete my pamper routine with skincare. I love to take of any makeup using the Clinique Take The day Off Balm, this removes all traces of makeup without leaving my skin stripped it's a really simple effective product. I then like to apply a clay mask, I like the Origins Clear Improvement mask at the moment, I seem to be lacking on the clay mask front (read I own one) but I know I can always rely on this one when my skin is super congested. Once I remove my clay mask I apply the much loved Origins Drink up mask, this smells like peaches and does a fantastic job of hydrating dry skin. My skin always looks healthy and glows the morning after applying this, it will always have a permanent place in my skincare basket.

What are your favourite pamper products?

Lush Buche de Noël

If you're a blog reader or general passer by it's pretty hard to resist the Christmas hype surrounding Lush stores nationwide. In all honesty I absolutely love Lush during the festive season, some of their limited edition bath products are my faves. Today though I come at you with something a little different, a product that seems to have blurred into the background as bath bombs take over. As I've mentioned before on my blog Lush skincare seems to get overlooked, which is a shame really as they have some great products (especially for sensitive skin types) so today I thought I'd share my thoughts on the festive cleanser that's currently gracing stores, Buche de Noël.

Okay so perhaps the most un photogenic product I have ever photographed but stay with me folks. If you read this post 'Lush Skincare Project' you'll know that I'm not entirely new to Lush skincare. I have tried a range of Lush skincare products, but I was never particularly blown away by their cleansers, mostly due to the texture. The majority of Lush cleansers are displayed in what can only be described as dough, they cut a piece of said dough and place in a tub. You break off a small amount of dough (haha dough) add water mix in your hand and apply to your face, this creates a milky texture but leaves skin feeling clean, hydrated and never stripped. The break off and add water approach isn't the most convenient of textures and I do find them very messy but that still hasn't affected my growing love for Buche de Noël.

Buche de Noël is both a face and body cleanser (although I generally stick to face) that smells like Christmas in a tub. The cleanser contains festive ingredients, satsumas, cranberries and a drop of brandy, it also contains ground almonds which gently buff away dead skin cells promoting radiance. I generally stay away from ground anything in cleansers but I've found this one incredibly gentle on my skin. Although I currently use this as a once/twice a week exfoliater I would feel confident using this daily on my skin, as once you add water the texture softens and this doesn't feel harsh on the skin. My skin looks radiant, soft and smooth after using this. Unlike other exfoliaters that I generally find spread spots I haven't had this problem with Buche de Noël, which I guess makes sense as this doesn't feel super abrasive on the skin. Since using this cleanser I've also noticed that my skin is more hydrated, I suffer with dry patches on my forehead and cheeks at this time of year but so far this hasn't been a problem, everything is soft and smooth, makeup applies better after I use this too.

I don't retract my original statement about the Lush cleansers being incredibly messy as I do still find clumps of cranberry around my sink (yak) nor has this changed my mind about them being a faff to use as far as cleansers go this one does require a little more effort. I do find though that the longer you use them the better you get at the whole process, as I'm finding this a little less messy now I've gotten used to the texture.

Not the prettiest of product, but I have found this to be incredibly effective on my skin over the past few weeks, at the risk of sounding big headed my skin has looked incredibly healthy a lately. I'm falling back in love with manual exfoliaters (perhaps a round up most of gentle exfoliates for the skin?) However I have had several comments on on how bright/clear my skin looks, it feels incredibly smooth and I do feel like this has played a huge part in improving my skin over the past four weeks.

Side Note: Lush does offer a sample service on all products and I highly recommend this for any skincare product. I can imaging a lot of people buy their cleansers and don't get on with the texture, as they do take some getting used to when you're used to more conventional cleansers.

Have you tried any Lush skincare products? Are you a fan of Buche de Noël?

Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm (Revisited)

There are a quite a few products (particularly skincare) that were not quite love at first use, the majority end up redundant in my skincare basket. After having one major clear out I made a conscious effort to retry some products which in return led me back to the much talked about Emma Hardie cleansing balm. I purchased this back when it was all the rave and after using continuously for four weeks I just wasn’t sold on the formula. In all fairness at the time of trying this balm cleansers were a whole new concept to me, I probably should have purchased something slightly cheaper to get used to the texture as it takes awhile to get around rubbing oil on an oily makeup covered face! Anyway, after using the EH balm for three months now seemed like the perfect time to share my thoughts, as I’m nearing the end I feel like I have a really good feel for the product.

If you have tried some of the cheaper balm alternatives and are looking for something with more skincare benefits (not just makeup removal) I highly recommend the Emma Hardie balm. From trying this balm it’s clear to see why it may not work for some skin types as it’s  loaded with essential oils which works well for some but not for others I guess it's about knowing what ingredients work with your skin. The EH balm is one of those products that I really do think requires a sample, but if (like me) you don’t live near anywhere that stocks this a good alternative is the starter kit that retails at £21 it includes a muslin cloth, age support cream and 50ml Emma Hardie balm at, £21 it still isn’t the cheapest but it’s certainly better than spending £36 if your skin decides not to like it.

The EH balm has a luxurious rich texture, when applied to dry skin this transforms into an oil I find the scent almost spa like, thanks to the orange, neroli and mandarin extracts this smells super citrusy I'm a big fan of anything orange scented. There's something quite relaxing about cleansing balms perhaps it's the mini facial massage that comes with applying, the EH balm transforms into oil on the skin however (hard to explain) I don't find it to be overly greasy like other balms I have tried (there are some that you can't wait to wash off!) Once massaged in I apply a little luke warm water this emulsifies the oil and it transforms into a milky texture, I use the EH double sided flannel (included in the kit) to wipe away the cleanser, then the muslin side to gently buff my skin. Once dry there is absolutely no product residue left behind, no greasy film no tacky feeling just soft radiant skin, The balm removes every last scrap of makeup, I checked this using the toner trick after drying my face and applying toner with a cotton pad there was literally no dirt or last scraps of makeup at all, which have even meant that I can skip toner on days where I’m too lazy.

My overall skin condition has improved so much since introducing the EH balm, I’m completely confused as to why this didn’t work for me before, the only conclusion I have come to is my skin used to be a little more congested at the time and I don't think I was overly keen on balm cleansers. At the time of trying this I was chopping and changing my skincare that much I couldn't really see if this worked or didn't but as I literally just changed my cleanser and kept the remainder of my skincare the same I've been able to see how well this does work for me...and I'm truly gutted at £36 pound a pop it isn’t exactly the most purse friendly of cleansers, however I am more than happy to pay this for something that truly works for me. I found that the 50ml with morning/evening use has lasted me around three months which I don’t think is very long at all, but £36 for six months which is roughly the amount of use I’d get out of 100ml I think is pretty reasonable… ish. Plus for something that's helped even out my skin tone, balance oil production, improve the texture of my skin and brighten up my dull complexion I'm more than happy to stick with this, I researched similar cleansers but I'm reluctant to change as I've seen such great results with this.

When I purchased this I also received a sample of the EH Age support cream. Something about this product and the whole EH line feels marketed towards mature skin types, I’m guessing the majority of the products are but after discovering how well the balm works on my combination spotty skin I decided to  give the moisturiser a try. This is designed for morning or evening but I use this mainly at night as I like to wear SPF during the day. This feels rich in texture but absorbs into the skin really well it doesn’t sit on the skin, feel oily or greasy which I think is a huge bonus for a night moisturiser. This moisturiser softens the texture of my skin, and really brightens up my dull complexion. For some reason I have found that this really helped scaring/pigmentation on my cheeks not banishing it completely but as this brightened up my skin I found pigmentation almost lightened slightly in appearance. Although this is a small sample I’ve used it for four weeks and still have quite a lot left so a little truly does go a long way, I plan on purchasing this once it runs out as I have enjoyed using it.

Are you a fan of the EH cleansing balm? Has anyone found any cheaper alternatives?