The empties #3

There comes a time once in a while when it's time for me to put all the empty bottles Ive been saving in a bag underneath my bed in the recycle bin. So before I take that trip downstairs I thought I would show and comment about what I've used up. This will therefore also be a post about a girl who used to work at Liz Earle and has now used up most of her stash - sad times.

People sometimes forget that Liz Earle does more than skincare. The Liz Earle Botanical Shine conditioner for dry or damaged hair was an absolute treat; my hair felt more nourished and looked healthy and shiny. I loved how creamy the formula was. This is definitely going on my repurchase list.

I had a wonderful time using the Sarah Chapman Intense Hydrating Booster . I would put it up there with some of the best skincare I have ever used. It is a very light-weight serum which gave my skin so much hydration making it looked nourished and plumper. I would love to purchase this again but the price tag brings a tear to my eye...

You must know by now that the Oskia Renaissance Gel Cleanser is one of my all time favourite cleansers. I will soon be re-purchasing my fourth bottles.

The Herbal Essences Clearly naked Shampoo is the cheapest thing in this post at a whopping price of £2.50. My hairdresser recommended that I only buy clear shampoos as my hair was getting very greasy and 'flat.' This has been a little gem and Im now on my second bottle.

Do I need to say anything else about the Colab sheer and invisible dry shampoo (empties are the London and New York scents). If you're a brunette gal then you need to try these.

I have recently written a post about my favourite moisturisers, in which the Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser has a big feature. Click here to read in detail about my love.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Limited Edition pink pepper and mint (no longer available)

I find the Lush The Comfortor shower gel so 'comforting' and uplifting. I really relied on this when i wasn't very well before Christmas. The smell is like a warming Riben/Vimto and it's pink and shimmery - amazing.

Max Factor Clump Defy Mascara is probably my favourite drug-store mascara. I love it, love it love. Again, I am now on my third tube of this.

The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof eye makeup remover - how many times have I raved about this? The best eye makeup remover ever.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Limited Edition Jasmine and osmanthus  (no longer available). I think this was my favourite of the limited edition scents. I really think Liz Earle should continue with some of their limited edition scents of the famous cleanser.

From now on I will always recommend the Liz Earle Orange Flower botanical body wash to anyone who suffers with dry/eczma prone skin. A lovely refreshing shower gel that contains no nasties and lots of vitamin E and essential oils to help nourish and moisturise the skin.

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March favourites

We all know I'm a loyal Liz Earle fan so when the new limited edition cleanse and polish came out I had to make a purchase. The new Cleanse and Polish Rose and Cedrat is a really relaxing scent that makes it the perfect Spring time cleanser. Still the same old wonderful cleanser with the refreshing new smell.

I have not stopped wearing the Nars Velvet Matte skin tint since I bought it at the beginning of the month. I have always wanted to try the original Nars Skin tint but after reading so many praises for this newbie I thought it was worth a try. Whilst I wouldn't describe my skin as oily I do suffer with a troubled t-zone, meaning a lot of powder throughout the day. This product however has completely solved these skin-issues. Whilst it's matte it still gives a very natural all over finish. I'm not sure if I would describe this as a 'skin tint' however, as it packs a lot of coverage.

Admittedly I bought the Clinique Pop Laquer lip colour in the shade Wink pop because I'll buy anything that Vivianna Does Makeup reviews and it was just so pretty. This is an odd one in the sense that it's a lipgloss with the colour of the lipstick and the power of a primer…?!

Now when the Rosie for Autograph makeup launched with that Lisa Eldridge video I was pen to paper writing our my wish list. I opted for the Rosie for Autogtaph Starstruck highlighter  - a creamy, stick highlighter which is perfect to contour on and blend into the skin. It's not too shimmery and lovely and creamy making it easy to apply.

The second purchase was the Rosie for Autograph makeup Lip glossy in the shade Super Model Smile. For me this is a 'my lips but better shade.' Again, weird in that it looks like a lipstick but comes out as a gloss. I really love this and have been wearing it most days.  The only bad thing is that it doesn't have too much staying power.

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My moisturiser journey

When it comes to the topic of skincare, moisturisers, in my opinion, is a boring chapter that people just want to skim read. It's that final stage in the routine that we just have to slap on. Then again, there are so many questions that go into consideration before purchase - Does it need to have SPF? Should I have one for am and pm? How much money should I spend? It's just a faffy topic that doesn't excite me as much as cleansers.

My skincare journey so far has encountered a variety of brands and I thought it was finally time to share my thoughts on the moisturisers.

1. Origins Make a Difference + was one of the first moisturisers on my journey. SPF, hydrating, and amti-angling. However, when I bought this moisturiser I was only 17 so I'm not sure if the sales adviser advised me correctly... Nevertheless, I found this a great skin protector at the time and I don't remember suffering from dryness, spots or redness. 

2. Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream is a great, simple moisturiser. It's light, moisturising and is a great base for makeup. Whilst some people may complain that it doesn't have an SPF this really is a moisturiser that ticks lots of skin care boxes. Moreover, as advised by Caroline Hirons, SPF shouldn't really come from skincare...

3. Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins stands out as one of my favourite skincare products of all time. If you want to see impressive results quickly then I would definitely recommend this one! Big statement - I know.  If I remember correctly then my skin was absolutely blooming blemish free, hydrated and plump. I definitely can't wait to buy this again.

4. Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream. This is my current moisturiser and so far I'm pretty pleased. It's definitely one for the winter months/dry skin gals due its thick consistency which makes it very hydrating. If you're Vegan then this is also one for you - Antipodes is a very earth friendly brand with 'natural' ingredients. I have been using this as both day and night moisturiser as it just gives so much hydration - it's also the best smelling of the bunch. 

4. Super Facialist by Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Peaceful Skin Night Cream this is a moisturiser that generated a 'meh' response from me. Perhaps I was not a target customer as I don't actually like the overwhelming smell of roses. However, it was very calming and very moisturising. But if budget was no option then the Origins night cream will always be my true night time love. 

5. Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser is an absolute favourite and classic. No nasties, just simple, great skincare. This moisturiser comes in three variations for different skin types and I have always used the normal/combination formula. I find it super hydrating, it helps against redness and absorbs well into the skin. I would definitely  recommend this for younger skin types. Again this does not contain SPFs as Liz Earle similarly believes that sun protection should be a separate step in the routine. Overall I think if I was going to recommend someone a great, value for money moisturiser then I would put forward this one. 

What are your favourite moisturisers? 

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2015 favourites

As we reach the last day of 2015 I felt it was time to reflect on my favourite products. As a beauty and skincare lover I thought it would be useful to look at what has stood out during my stressful and crazy year!

My skincare has remained pretty constant since 2014. Yes, I am still using my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, and my moisturisers are changing every time I finish a tub - one of my 2016 posts will be on some that have stood out! Whilst it is my favourite topic I have tried to keep it short and sweet for your reading purposes. 

Favourite Cleanser is the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing gel. There is no other cleanser that leaves my skin looking so awakened and refreshed. If there is any product that can get me out of bed then it is definitely this!

After my expensive love affair with the Omorovisca toner, I was on a mission to find a more affordable, but still effective, alternative. After the beauty guru Alessandra Steinherr featured this on her Sunday Facial Snap Chats I was hooked. The Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer will be a firm favourite in 2016 i'm sure; it is instantly calming and moisturising, I can't go a day without it. 

A new discovery has been the Elemental Herbology Facial Detox. I let one of the sales assistants in Space Nk talk me in to buying this, and I'm very glad she did. I have had some bad experiences with charcoal masks but yet was looking for a mask/treatment product that would help me fight blackheads. Not only is this mask a gentle, yet equally powerful, alternative it is also full of wonderful ingredients which always equals a thumbs up in my skincare book. 

After beauty YouTubers kept talking about it, I finally purchased the Sarah Chapman Overnight facial. This was a firm Summer favourite which you can read in this post here. I love the simplicity of my skincare routine when I use this: cleanse my face and apply! I don't think I have read one review yet which has said they have woken and up not seen a difference.

There have only been two bases I have used this year: the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue and the
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua. The BareMinerals very quickly became my everyday favourite; it's lightweight, easy to blend and the ultimate complexion saviour. When I need that extra boost, or am going somewhere fancy, then I reach for Chanel. I love how thin the formula is, meaning it's not a heavy coverage foundation. It gives such a natural, dewy finish that it has to be my favourite foundation  ever.

This is also the case with my Nars Creamy Concealer  in the shade Vanilla. If I could only love one of these products this would be a very close call to the number one spot. There are infact some days when I only use this for my base. It is great at covering those dark, under eye circles, the redness around the nose and those occasional blemishes. I don't think there has been a day in 2015 when I haven't left the house without it.

The Urban Decay Eyeshadow primer would also be a close one to the top spot. Again, there has not been a day this year when I haven't used this. As I've mentioned time and time again on here, I am 'an oily eyelid gal,' meaning an eyeshadow primer is a must in my makeup routine. Nothing stops my eyeshadow from smudging quite like it.

2015 has also been a year of cream eyeshadows. Beginning with the Chanel Illusion D'ombre in Emmerville (which was a 2014 Christmas present), which very quickly became my favourite everyday gold shadow. My mum then treated me to the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise cream eyeshadow in Norma Jean. These shadows are seriously pigmented and I have especially loved wearing this one over Christmas. 

I will then have to mention more Chanel love for their Long-Lasting Eyeliner in the shade Erablé is the 'bomb' when it comes to bronze/gold eyeliner appreciation. 

Obviously the Bourjois Rouge Velvet has to have a mention. It beat all my high-end products to be my graduation lipstick. This is definitely due to its staying power. Unlike some matt lip products it doesn't leave my lips feeling dry and it doesn't fade even if you're going to be eating a crusty bread roll! My famous shade is So Hap'pink.

This year I have gone through two Soap & Glory Archery 2-in-1Brow Filling Pencil , need I say anymore than that? It is probably my all time favourite brow-product: Simple and purse friendly

The Revlon ColourStay Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat has become my favourite top coat - ever! Once you've tried it you will see why I never mention Seche Vite. If you're a nail varnisher lover then I would advise this as essential.

What have been your favourites this year?

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Christmas Gift Ideas

1. Out of all the Christmas candles this year my favourite has to be The White Company Winter Candle . When it comes to Christmas candles i'm not a big fan of the popular 'I want my house to smell like a forest' trend. Instead, I much prefer spice and vanilla undertones, which is what you definitely get with Space NK's annual Shimmering Spice candle. The White Company Winter Candle is very similar to these notes, creating a warming, Christmas feel. 

2. Charlotte Tilbury is always a great idea at Christmas, mainly because of her wonderful packaging. On my Christmas list this year is the Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eye Palette in the shade The Dolce Vita. Who hasn't used this in a tutorial yet? Fingers crossed it will be under the tree!  

3. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette is a rather luxurious item this Christmas - it's a whopping £65. These powders are absolutely beautiful - I own one of the blushers and powders - and the set is just so aesthetically pleasing! Whilst I think this is a great way to try all the powders it is a lot of money. So for now I will just look...

4. In my opinion, anything from Jo Malone is wonderful to receive. A few weeks ago my friend and I decided to go and choose our favourite perfumes to add to our Christmas lists. Mine was the new fragrance, Mimosa & Cardamon. If you haven't smelt this yet then PLEASE do, your nose will be very grateful.

5. This Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm is rather cute: a tiny version of the famous cleanser which can be hung on the tree. At £10 this is a great stocking filler for a skincare lover - it even comes with a mini cloth!

6. I have fallen in love with the Champney's repackaging. I love receiving shower gels or bubble baths so the Champneys Heavenly Days Relaxing Collection is definitely on my list. 

7.The Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection  has probably been one of my favourite beauty launches this year. They are some of the best brushes I own: the quality is amazing and the bristles are very easy to blend with, especially the creased shadow brush! I think one of these brushes would be a beautiful gift to receive. 

What's on your Christmas beauty list this year? 

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October Favourites

This month I fell back in love with an old favourite - the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua. I LOVE this foundation; it has great coverage, it isn't too heavy and it blends really well into the skin. I wear the shade B20 which is my skin tone in a bottle. Whenever my skin is looking slightly lacklustre I immediately pick this up - It creates the perfect natural finish.

I also rediscovered my MAC Pro-Longwear blush in the shade Rosy Outlook - a very pretty pink which creates the perfect natural flush. I find the pro-longwear formulas to be very long wearing  (as you would expect from it's name) but also super pigmented - you don't need too much of this on your brush to achieve a natural pink.

October was a pretty bad skin month for me. I ended taking things back to basics, ensuring that I was really cleaning my skin with fresh muslin clothes. However, I really noticed the benefits when I started to regularly incorporate an oil into my routine. I used the Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate. With powerfully, active ingredients such as camomile and rosehip oil it's perhaps no surprise I would always notice the difference the next day. It also left my skin feeling very nourished and moisturised. A big thumbs up from me with this one.

A new discovery is from Lush. I picked up The Comforter shower gel after seeing a lot of pretty Instagram posts. I think the smell of this is so uplifting and is just what you need when you're feeling slightly under the weather. It's also shimmery pink. I think I definitely need to try the famous bath bomb version

My Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder has been the perfect setting powder. I'm so pleased that I finally picked this up - it really keeps my oil/shine levels at bay. But it is also more than just a powder; it doubles up as a very subtle highlighter. Whilst this is a very luxurious item I can definitely notice the high-end difference in comparison with my drug-store powders.

Also I will give a shout out to my background: my new bed sheets from George. I'm currently having an obsession with grey interiors, please visit my Pinterest to see the depths of this...

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Products I said I would never buy

There have been a few products that have haunted this blog which I have deemed unworthy of their expensive price tag. Two of these were the Nude Perfect Cleanse Nourishing Oil and the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder. Now, judging from the photo you will guess that I have in fact, now, bought these products. But let me explain. I promise I'm not a hypocrite.

The past two months of blog reading has seen a lot of reviews about the Hourglass Powder. This was then wonderfully peaked in a collab video of Fleur de Force, Hello October and I Covet Thee on their 'Holy Grail High End Products' - great viewing, I really recommend! Then Caroline Hirons featured the Nude Oil on her blog saying (I quote)  'I love this cleanser.' Now how can you say no to the Hirons?! Finally, Space Nk tempted me with £15 off when you spend £60. I took this offer as a sign to finally see what the fuss was about…Now do you understand why I gave in?

One thing I didn't know about Nude was that they are as natural as beauty products can be. This is a quality I always look for when testing new products - I don't like no naaaasties. Infact one of the ingredients in this is broccoli - yes that's right people, broccoli! Now we know I love an oil cleanser due to my regular praise of the Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil. However, I have actually tried a high-end oil, mainly because I didn't see the point in the price tag. But after testing I can firmly say that this a beautiful cleanser: a luxurious oil which thorough cleanses my skin and has noticeably helped to regulate the oil on my T-zone.

This product can be used morning or evening as first or second cleanse. The price for the amount of millilitres you get still scares me a little, making me think it would be a waste to use this as a first cleanse. But you can apply the oil straight to dry skin and then emulsify it with warm water to create a very light milk which will then further help to remove all makeup. On a side note, this product just looks beautiful in the bathroom cabinet!

The Hourglass powder I feel is more of an investment - when you think about it you only use a little bit of powder everyday and there is a lot of product here to get through. I went for the shade diffused light after many bloggers said this was their preferred shade. What's so great about this powder is whilst it helps to set your makeup and blot that shiny nose, it adds a delicate touch of shimmer, creating a very natural glow. So far I've found that my oil control is much better after applying this in the morning: I now only need one touch up throughout the day rather than having to consistently blot my nose every time I go to the bathroom!

Whilst both of these products are indeed quite pricey, they definitely have very satisfying results. Never say never kids. 

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