9 Thing's I'm Loving Lately #3

New RT, the real star here is the multi-task brush this works beautifully with everything as the name would suggest // Walking my Nans dog in a bid to get fit… as you can see from this picture he's thrilled // Love this shade from Nail Rock, this came in my December Birchbox, not sure I'm sold on velvet nails though // Loving incorporating more fruit and veggies into my diet // I love using this scrub in the mornings to buff away those dry patches, it works perfectly in the shower too my fave S&G body scrub // In contrast to the fruit here is um salted caramel cupcakes, they look pretty grim but by gosh they were delicious // Love this Sleek Blush in 'Suede' perfect Spring/summer shade perhaps a little premature but I'm ready for some sun // Loving using these Birchbox pouches to store samples and minis // First egg (or should I say Egg's) of the year…roll on Easter (well any excuse to stuff my face with chocie of course 

Little self plug attempt here, but I recently joined Instagram (@subjectbeauts) I'm a bit of newbie, but if you would interested in seeing more random pictures (cake and beauty bits seem to be a regular feature) then you can follow me there too. 

What have you been loving lately?

Topic 2: Skincare Saviours

Today folks I have topic two of #2014Bloggerchallenge. Looking through the 'Subject Beauty' archives there's been quite a few posts on skincare (I love skincare), once I find a product I truly love such as this Kiehl's cleanser, I tend to stick with it for a few months, which for the purposes of the blog could possibly get repetitive and boring so today I thought I would focus on some products that haven't been talked about too much… 

When winter rolls around, I (unfortunately) have to switch up my whole skincare routine. This may seem a tad extreme and not the most cost effective approach but my skin changes drastically through the winter months. The long summer months see the Rinica Vs Oil challenge, seriously guys it ain't pretty, anything that mattifys or reduces oil in slightest is dragged out an applied liberally to my skin. In contrast to this winter sees the return of croc skin. So the products I use in summer and winter truly differ.

So onto the products that have helped to keep my skin clear, hydrated and croc free…

Antipodes Nourishing Night Cream

I've raved about this far to much. But if you suffer from dry skin and your skin's sensitive this night cream from Antipodes has you covered. This smells divine, is super rich in texture yet still manages too never clog pores. This really helped  too ease up my dry patches and didn't break me out either, like some richer creams do. I really can't recommend this cream enough.

Origins Modern Friction

Now, I know this type of product may be a little old school in the beauty world, as liquid exfoliants such as Pixi Glow, or Clarins offering seems to have taken over the joint. But dare I admit it, dare I say it...I still really enjoy using a manual scrub ever so often. The scrubby beads really help to exfoliate dead skin cells away. I've found incorporating this one into my winter routine has really helped shed that dry skin (yuk) and this just leaves my skin so soft, brighter and works beautifully before the Origins Drink up mask. I know there's a lot of talk about these types of scrubs causing breakouts, bacteria spreading, but I find concentrated use in small areas, nose, forehead chin hasn't caused any breakouts or spot spreading

Antipodes Manuka Honey Mask

How do I know when I really love a mask? When I use the last splodge and have to run out and repurchase asap. This recently happened with my manuka mask. This stuff is just great for dry, dehydrated skin. Used once a week, I have found this really improves my skin texture. I just always look so radiant, and my skin feels so nourished and soft after using this. Perfect to keep your skin looking soft, and hydrated through the winter months

Origins Charcoal Mask

Now in summer this is just a gem, but I also find myself reaching for this through the winter months. Like my hair, I sometimes feel like my skin gets product build up lots of serums, moisturisers, cleansers just leave your skin feeling like it needs a real clean. This charcoal mask from Origins leaves my skin feeling so fresh and perfect, it's great for getting all of the gunk out of your skin, it's by far one of the best clay masks I have used -it's my second bottle of the stuff.

LUSH Grease Lightening

Besides loving the name, I've really enjoyed using this spot treatment lately. Now in total honesty I haven't used a spot treatment in 6 years, around age 13 I went through my spotty phase and got caught up in trying just about any spot treatment on the market, sadly these all dried out my spots and the skin around them so badly, and to this day I still think this was the cause of my pigmentation. Usually spot creams dry the spot, and leave a brown mark. But this one by LUSH I find to actually be pretty gentle on the skin. I don't find this to do much for getting rid of spots, but this manages to tame redness around the spot really well. I applied this recently to a rather angry looking spot and when I woke up the next morning my spot was still there but the redness around it had disappeared.

So there we have it guys, the products that are keeping my skin hydrated, clear and spot free this winter what are your favourite winter tips or tricks for keeping your skin healthy through the cooler months? 

P.S To see the body products I'm loving through winter see here

'I wish I didn't buy that' #1

Disappointing products/worst product posts and videos are a favourite of mine. Yes, they do have a tendency to sound a little whingy, and a bit negative but I think they can be so helpful- or at least let me consider asking for a sample before spending my hard earned cash. So today we see a post, that I'm hoping won't be too much of a regular feature on 'Subject Beauty' as it makes me feel a little sad seeing the money wasted-

Clinique 'CC' Cream- £28

I wear the shade deep, medium deep is too light, deep is too dark. Bullied purchase, fraid so. You know when your under those bright lights, and the sales assistants are so convincing it's hard to not be bullied into a purchase. This is pretty full coverage and boy does it feel it. This feels heavy and greasy on skin, I also find this transfers to clothes and just about anything that goes within a cm of my face. This made my skin appear almost plastic in finish, and very dull. If you have dry skin this may work I guess, but I'd definitely make sure to request a sample first before taking the plunge.

Laura Mercier Primer -£33

Now, from my understanding a primer is meant to have a purpose. Whether that be to hydrate the skin, add luminosity, control oil, mattify, pro long foundation wear-something…anything. This foundation primer does zilch, nothing. Nothing to say, absolutely nothing. When I use this, and when I don't use this I notice no difference. Foundation applies nicely, but this doesn't add radiance, it doesn't prolong my foundation, or control oil or shine it simply does nothing. Sadly for £33 I'd like to see this make some sort of difference to the way my foundation looks or applies…

Urban Decay De-Slick

Wanting to try the Urban Decay setting sprays, my advice purchase the travel size. I was extremely disappointed in this product after reading rave reviews. This didn't help my make up stay, keep oiliness at bay or mattify all claims the product makes. Essentially this was as good as bottled water at making my make up stay through summer

So there we have it a few, products from my make up bag that are being donated to friends. What products are you disappointed in?

Benefit 'Hello Flawless' Foundation

Benefit 'Hello Flawless' Foundation £25.50

*For reference my skin type is oily/ combination, it has a tendency to get super dry through winter. This foundation had been used through summer when my skins an oil slick and through winter when skin's dry*

Available in 9 shades (go benefit) with 3 shades being targeted at more darker complexions (lovely to see a brand offering more then one darker shade in there line) - I wear the shade Hazlenut, this foundation has SPF25, is oil free, claims to be hydrating, with light diffusing properties 

Firstly lets talk coverage, this has a super light texture with a thin watery consistency. It's very buildable and allows you to create the desired amount of coverage. For good skin days one layer of this almost has a tinted moisturiser feel to it. For bad skin days this foundation can be built up to a higher coverage foundation (the picture above is several layers buffed in) this manages to cover my ever so sexy pigmentation, and spots too all without ever appearing cakey on the skin. If your skin is very dry you may find that this foundation has the tendency to cling to dry areas, so perhaps this is a no go for people with very dry skin types. 

Long wearing? For combination/dry this baby has you covered, on days where skin is more oily a dusting of translucent powder is needed, I usually do this for the majority of foundations I use. On days where my skin is very oily I do find this to slide of the face, but for the cooler months this lasts all day. If your skin is oily, blot, and a re powder will definitely be needed with this foundation.

So there we have it, I've owned this product since its release and can say I'm rather impressed. I love the packaging and concept. With this foundation, we have longevity, buildability and blend ability. This foundation is definitely one for the combination gals, super oily/super dry may wish to stay clear. 

Have you tried the Benefit 'Hello flawless' foundation? What are your favourite Benefit products I'm wanting to try more from the brand but have no idea where to start...