2014 Skincare Favourites

This year I have loved experimenting with different skin care products and really learning what works best for me. I have learnt what my skin type is (thank you Sali Hughes) and have made a conscious effort to take better care of my skin and I now love nothing more than taking my make up off at the end of the day and starting my evening skin care routine. 

I have experimented with a few cleansers this year, and although I have enjoyed each of them for different reasons, none compare to the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. This gel to oil cleanser really is a delight to use. It smells amazing and removes all traces of make up in one go. I like to use one pump in the morning and two in the evening and enjoy massaging it into my skin and washing away with warm water. The smell is reason enough to go out and try this (trust me).

As far as moisturisers are concerned, I have never fallen in love with any particular brand before and have found them all a much of a muchness. However, this year I started using the No7 Beautiful Skin Oil Free Daytime Moisturiser. I was obviously drawn to this as it is oil free, but you get so much for your money with this product and it sits beautifully under your make up. I haven't used any other moisturiser since March because of this.

I started using Estee Lauder's Idealist Pore Minimising Serum earlier this year and I can't be sure, but I do think that my pores look smaller than before I started using this. Aside from visible results, I just love the way this serum makes my skin feel before I apply my make up.

Overnight I like to use a facial oil, and I thought I should mention two as although I have a favourite, I have only been using it since Christmas. First is the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair. This product does not come cheap but it really does make your skin appear more plump and healthy the next day. For christmas, I got the Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial and I am amazed with the results. After just a week of using this, my skin appears calmer, clearer and plumper. Small pimples that had appeared on my forehead (I blame the christmas parties and chocolate) disappeared almost overnight and patches of dry skin I had, began to appear calmer and smaller. I cannot rave about this product enough and will definitely be trying out some more Sarah Chapman products in the new year. 

Another overnight product I have loved this year is the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. I like to use this a couple of times a week as my skin seems to love it and gets a great glow the morning after. Again, another amazing smelling product.

Another mask I have been loving is the Glam Glow Youth Mud Tingle Exfoliate Mask. This is a classic, apply to skin, let it set and wash off mask. However, this is not a mask you use a few days before an event but instead the night of an event. I can't describe how smooth this makes your skin and just how wonderfully this mask preps your skin for make up but trust me, it is worth the hefty price tag. 

Finally (sorry another long, long ramble) is the Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel. This tiny pot has lasted me almost a whole year despite regular use. I dab a tiny amount onto any spots I get and this just helps to reduce the size and redness overnight. It is particularly great to use on any spot you can sense appearing before it actually does, as it prevents it reaching its full unwanted potential. This product does smell incredibly clinical and unpleasant but if you can get past that it really is great and does exactly as it promises. 

2014 Make Up Favourites

It has taken me a long, long time to try and whittle this post down to just ten products but finally I have made this as short as humanly possible. Of course I could talk about umpteen make up products I have used and loved this year, but I tried to think about products I have not only enjoyed using but now consider necessities in my make up routine. 

First up is a primer. Although I have spent most of the year using Kiehls Micro-Blur Skin Perfector, I recently discovered the Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer and it has replaced my beloved Kiehls. Aside from the fact you get more for your money, I find that this leaves my skin so smooth and my make up glides on perfectly. I changed primers because I wanted to use something oil free and it makes such a difference for an oily skinned gal like myself. 

The next product was the easiest choice for this post as I have used it literally every day since May and that is the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet. I have no complaints whatsoever with this foundation. I use it in the day time and it looks so natural on the skin, but it is also really buildable to take your look from day to night time in a matter of seconds. 

My favourite concealer of 2014 is the Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer in the shade light. This concealer is so light and creamy but just covers dark circles amazingly. It does not sit in any fine lines and can also be re-applied throughout the day without going cakey.

When my under eye circles are particularly bad, or if I just want to add a highlighted glow I have been reaching for the MAC Prep and Prime Pen in the shade Light Boost. I love this and definitely want to try out the other shades next year!

I discovered a new eyebrow pencil this year and that was the Soap and Glory Archery Brow Pencil. I have both shades of this as I prefer Blondshell for the day and Hot Chocolate for night. The brush on the end of the pencil is brilliant and this product is a great dupe for the Anastasia Brow Wizz but for a fraction of the price.

2014 was the year I had a love affair with gold and bronze eyeshadows and also Charlotte Tilbury, so it comes as no surprise I had to mention two eyeshadow products from the lady herself. First is the Colour Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencil in the shade Champagne Diamonds. This eyeshadow is so versatile and so so quick and easy to use. It can be used as a liner or smudged all across the lid and below the eye. The next product is the Golden Goddess Luxury Palette. This product is so lavish and luxurious and really makes your eyes pop. I love all of the shades in this, and the size makes it perfect to carry around. Charlotte Tilbury's online tutorials are also great at showing you how to make the most of the palette.

My final eye product is the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara. After months of moaning about my eye make up smudging under my eye, I caved and bought this and am so glad I did. The brush is so cute and tiny and makes it so easy to get into the corner and coat every lash without looking too heavy or doll like. It does not smudge or cause that horrible flakiness under your eye and I have already recommended this mascara to everyone I know.

Finally (sorry for the rambling) is a lip product. I have been really enjoying getting into lip products this year but if I had to choose only one to mention here it would have to be MAC Patisserie. A perfect 'your lips but better' colour, I have been wearing this almost every day since summer this year. If you're into nudes, then there is no doubt you would love this lipstick.

AM Skincare Routine

In the mornings I like to keep things quick and simple when it comes to my skincare routine. I have usually snoozed my alarm one too many times and therefore don't have the time to faff around with all sorts of lotions and potions. I keep my usual, every day routine down to four items.

First, I cleanse using my Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. I have tried quite a few cleansers over the years but this one is definitely my favourite. It starts as a gel and then turns into an oil as you massage it into your skin and gets rid of any remaining make up or grime. It also smells amaaaaazing. Kind of like turkish delight mixed with roses (which is much nicer than it sounds). I love this stuff and cannot see myself using another cleanser for quite some time. The only down side to this is that because of the packaging, you don't know when you're close to running out, and I always find myself having to pay for next day delivery for this as I can't possibly be without it. 

Next I use my serum. At the moment I am using Estee Lauder Idealist Serum and I really like it. It is quite thick and I feel like it really sets a good base for my make up. I think that serum is one of the most important steps of a make up routine especially as it is what targets your skin concerns. If I ever stop using serum for a while that's when I notice a difference in my skin.

I then moisturise. I am not overly fussy when it comes to moisturisers but for the last few months I have really been loving the No7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream for Normal/Oily skin. This is great because it is oil free and really sinks nicely into my skin without being greasy at all. I also think this is a great moisturiser to use underneath make up.

Finally I like to use an eye cream as my under eye area is where I am slightly dehydrated. Again, I am not that fussy with these but I have been using the No7 Lift & Luminate Eye Cream. I can't say that I have noticed any difference under my eyes since using this, but it is a nice eye cream to use for hydration, and again it isn't at all greasy so is nice to wear under my under eye concealer. 

5 Favourites

It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that I did my October favourites post, however, there are some other products I have also been loving that previously didn't quite get the mention they deserve. First is one of the most amazing books I honestly think I have ever read. Think of it as a beauty bible/beauty manual that all girls need. It is Sali Hughes Pretty Honest. I can't believe just how much Sali has managed to fit into this book, and without spoiling anything all I can say is that everyone should have a copy of this. 

Next is the Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. I don't use this everyday, but tend to save it for special occasions but it just glides over your skin and helps your make up go on so much more smoothly. The lady on the Clarins counter compared it to poly-filler, which doesn't sound so appealing at first but after using it I now see what she means, and it is definitely a good thing (trust me). 

The next product is the Clinique High Impact Mascara. I have been a Loreal only Mascara girl for about seven years, but after using a sample I had of this, my head has been turned. I still love my Loreal Telescopic, but this mascara from Clinique is perfect for length in a more natural way. 

Another new product for me is The Body Shop Honey Bronzer. I have seen other bloggers talk about this, and I fancied trying something new. This is a great bronzer, because it is so natural and easy to wear. It doesn't look too dark or create any harsh lines even on my fair skin. 

Finally, the last product I have been loving is the Colab Dry Shampoo in the New York scent. As someone who is incredibly reliant on dry shampoo, and also someone who has tried almost every other brand of dry shampoo, I needed to give this a go. I really like this dry shampoo, it is not white or chalky in the hair, and does not feel sticky or greasy like some other brands do (i'm looking at you Herbal Essences and Aussie). It's not the best for creating volume, but the main thing I look for in a dry shampoo is not the volume it gives, but how much oil it absorbs from my hair. I have also tried the London scent but my fave so far is this New York one. This is a great product with a great price tag - kudos Ruth Crilly. 

Sunday Night Pamper Routine

Sunday is a day of rest, relaxation and bubble baths! I love having a little pamper time on a Sunday evening, and I thought I would share a few of my favourite steps from my pamper routine.

The first I do is run a warm bubble bath and really unwind. When I have my bath, I like to sit my I-pad up at the end and watch youtube videos, while also reading through a few blog posts on my phone. I'm not the kind of person who can just lay and soak, I need to be reading or watching something. I love to use a Lush Bath Bomb, particularly Butterball, but this weekend I had none available so used some Marks and Spencers bath crystals. While I am in the bath I also like to use a face mask. Recently I have been using an old favourite, Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask. 

When out of the bath I like to paint my nails ready for the week. Tonight I used Topshop's Lacquered. Another thing I love to do for the week is tan. An overnight tan is so quick and easy to do on a Sunday evening, and my tan of choice is Xen Tan Deep Bronze Luxe in the shade Dark. 

Finally, I like to unwind before bed with a bit of reading. I have been loving and re-reading Lauren Conrad's Beauty. I love to use books like this for a bit of blogging inspiration and this is one of my personal faves. It is also great at helping you understand different reasons as to why your skin may be acting a certain way, and as mine has been playing up a bit lately I love referring back to this for help. 

October Favourites

So another month has flown by, and it is once again time for a monthly favourites. I have been venturing outside of my normal routine in recent months, and experimenting with different eye and lip products as you will soon see.

My first favourite is skincare product from one of my favourite brands Estee Lauder. It is their Idealist Pore Minimising Serum. I think that serum is a really important part of any skincare routine, and it is always the product I see noticeable results with. This serum is quite thick, but glides onto skin really smoothly when used underneath your normal moisturiser. I find that it reduces the appearance of fine lines and pores and helps my make up go on more smoothly. I see it almost as more of a treatment version of my beloved Kiehls Microskin Blur. 

Onto make up, first up are two eye products. I have been loving Make up Revolution Redemption Palette Iconic 2. This is a pretty infamous product in the beauty blogging world due to its uncanny resemblance to the much loved Naked 2 Palette but for a fraction of the price. I love the quality of the shadows and the warm golden neutral tones which are right up my street. All of the shades are so wearble and can all be easily taken from day to night. This has no fall down below the eye and is just a great affordable palette. Need I say more? The other product is more high end and is the Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencil in the shade Champagne Diamonds. I remember my mum telling me at a young age that gold shadows suit blue eyes and help make them really pop and clearly my mum was right. This shimmery gold pencil is the one suggested for blue eyes and I have received so many compliments every time I have worn it. It is great on its own especially due to its speed and ease of application, but it is also great worn with the Make up Revolution Palette (this is how I have been using it mostly!). It is also perfect to use below your bottom lash line as it is not too harsh but much more subtle which is how I prefer my waterline shadow to be. 

Finally are two new lip products. I have mentioned before that I am not a massive lover of any lip products but lately I have really been experimenting and am surprised at how much I am enjoying the new looks. Okay, so I may not be fronting a bold red lip just yet, but I am definitely preferring something on my lips, whether it just be a sheer pink gloss or a sleek nude lippy to really complete my make up look. The two products I have been reaching for are the MAC Lip Lustre in Patisserie and the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Liner in Pillow Talk. Patisserie is a perfect 'my lips but better' pinky nude shade, but when used with Pillow Talk it really comes alive. This lip liner makes your lips appear more plump but in such a natural way. I have been using it either all over my lips, or as a liner along with Patisserie and I am really loving the results. Perhaps now I have conquered my fear of lip colours I will become slightly more adventurous so watch this space. 

Haulin'

Most of my recent purchases have been bits I have had to replace, but a couple of bits are shiny newbies. I firstly got my trusty Kiehls Micro-Blur Skin Perfector. I cannot rave about this stuff enough, it keeps my make up in place, minimises the appearance of pores and gives my skin a smooth velvety feeling. I use a pea sized blob before my make up, after my moisturiser and I highly recommend this! Especially if you have larger pores like myself. 

Next were two MAC products I recently ran out of, the brow pencil in Lingering and Prep and Prime Highlighter in Light Boost. This is the most natural looking eyebrow product I have ever used, and it also doesn't smudge off or wear away throughout the day. The prep and prime highlighter is great to use over foundation and concealer to not only brighten the under eye area, but also highlight other areas of the face. 

I purchased the Clinique Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder in the shade 101. I like to set my make up with a light powder, that doesn't provide extra coverage but prevents shine and oiliness coming through. I have used this before and loved it, but I don't know why I didn't buy it again sooner. This is a great powder if you want to set your make up but not have your skin turn flat and cakey. 

I also purchased a Laura Mercier Nail Varnish in the shade Bare Espresso which is a deep dark brown shade and perfect for Autumn. I love brown nails anyway, and this shade is so shiny and perfect for the seasonal change. I really like the formula and it applies really nicely. I used it a few days ago and haven't had any chipping yet so fingers crossed!

I also recently stocked up on some hair products. I got the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce shampoo and conditioner. This is ok, but I found that I didn't feel like I had given my hair a good wash after using it. My hair felt a little heavy and got greasy quite quickly, but to be fair my hair does that anyway. It isn't the worst I have used but I don't think I will be buying it again.

Finally, I also got the Toni & Guy Sea Salt Texturising Spray. I haven't used this too much as the main reason I got it was for travelling, but the times I have used it I have enjoyed it. It leaves my hair a little crispy, but it it is a great cheaper alternative to the Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray.

A Short but Sweet August Favourites

I only have a few favourites this month, not because these are the only products I am currently loving, because they're not. They are just the ones that I am reaching for on a daily basis and have been doing so for the last month. 

First is my most favouritestest favourite of the bunch. It is the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. This cleanser is so light on the skin, I look forward to using it at the end of the day. It is an oily balm that turns milky when mixed with water. Oily girls, fear not, it does not make oily skin any oilier (trust me, i'm an oily skinned gal myself), it just makes your skin feel so smooth and soft. It aims to deeply cleanse pores and remove make up but this is not all. It also supposedly protects the skin and improves elasticity and firmness. What's not to love? The final great thing about this product is the smell. Chamomile and Rose. Need I say more?

Another product I have been loving this month is the Avon Make Up Setting Spray. I have been using this every day on top of my make up as the final step in my make up routine and I have definitely noticed a difference by the end of the day. Anything that helps to keep my make up in place, and save me having to top up through the day instantly becomes a favourite of mine. It is also non sticky and contains vitamins A, C and E. I know there are other popular alternatives such as the Urban Decay Setting spray, but this Avon spray only costs £6, but is on offer for £3 at the moment so grab it  here while you can! 

Onto make up, first is the No. 7 Instant Radiance Highlighter. I love a natural looking highlighter, and at first I wasn't too keen on this but now I love it. It gives you a really natural looking pinky glow with the perfect amount of shimmer. I have been using this on top of my cheekbones every day. I love the chubby stick style of this highlighter, even though I don't rub it directly onto my face, instead I rub it on my finger and then dab it onto my skin. It is only £9.95 from Boots, but they are always giving out £5 vouchers, so I only paid £4.95 for this which is a bargain.

My final monthly favourite is the Clinique Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder Oil Free. As I have mentioned a gazillion times, I have oily skin. Therefore, I cannot get away with being completely powder free. I have to at least powder my T Zone, but I really hate that cakey built up product look that so many powders cause. Enter the Clinique Sheer Pressed Powder. This is so light that it is undetectable on the skin, it just gives your skin a silky finish and removes excess oil without disturbing your make up. There are eight shades to choose from, I was matched by someone on the counter in store, and the match is so close to my skin tone. One thing I did not want was a powder with too much coverage, as I always intended to use this on top of foundation. This has definitely pipped my Laura Mercier Pressed Powder to the top spot, and it is cheaper which is an added bonus. It is not as cheap as high street brands, but at £23 I think this product is well worth it. 

Finished Products

Recently I seem to have come to the end of quite a few products, so I thought it would be fun to do a blog post on a few bits I have finished. First is the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray. I purchased this after reading a few rave reviews about it and I definitely think I will be repurchasing this. It is really great at giving your hair some added texture but also va va voom volume. As I have said before, I have really flat hair, so for me sprays like this are an everyday necessity and this did exactly what I had hoped it would do. It gave me a choppy texture and thicker looking hair in seconds. My only problem with this spray is that it does feel quite stiff in your hair, and I find makes it quite knotty. However, for the way it makes my hair look and also smell (oh the smell) it is well worth it. 

Next is my Bioderma Micellar Water. This one was only a mini because I used it when I went to Paris and Glastonbury which was so so handy. I am keeping the bottle to refill for times I go away as it is the perfect size. I don't need to go on about this because i'm sure you all know how good this is at removing make up and how gentle on the skin it is, so i'll save you another ramble about the stuff. 

I have also used up all of my Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum and I have not taken the loss well. I can't justify spending £69 on skincare at the moment as I have so many other outgoings at the moment (how expensive are driving lessons can I point out here), but I am hating being without this stuff until pay day. I find that this really calms redness in my skin, and a spot has actually appeared this week - coincidence? I think not. 

Onto make up, firstly I ran out of my CHANEL Perfection Lumiere Velvet foundation in B20, but I have already repurchased this. I do have a bottle of B10 but I'm not quite ready to embrace the paleness in August, and I like to always have a B20 to hand. This stuff is great at making my skin look naturally good which is always great. I have recommended this to so many friends who now love it and cannot imagine using anything else. I prefer this to the much loved Vitalumiere Aqua, mainly because I have oily skin so need the slightly more matte effect this gives. 

I ran out of two MAC products this week, one being something I didn't mind waiting a few days to repurchase and have delivered to me, another that left me going slightly insane waiting for its arrival. First was the MAC Prep and Prime Highlighter in Light Boost. I love this stuff, and use it most days because it just makes me look so much more awake. It is also great to use if contouring and highlighting and I am planning on trying out a few of the other shades soon. The other MAC product to bite the dust this week was my Brow Pencil in the shade Lingering. I have tried so many different products to make my naturally skinny non existent brows look thicker but also natural and this is definitely my favourite. It is so soft so does not look harsh at all, and lasts all day. It has also lasted me so long but is so reasonably priced at only £13.50. My replacement for this did actually arrive this morning so my Saturday just got a whole lot better.

I have replaced a few of these products, and also made a few other sneaky purchases so will doing a haul soon!

Current Favourites

Okay, I have been out of the blogging world for a shamefully long time now. This post was originally meant to be a July favourites, but time has just flown by and now August is nearly over (what the hell!). Hopefully there won't be such a huge gap between this post and my next one, so i'll go ahead and talk about my July favourites now anyway. 

First is Lee Stafford's Big Fat Root Boost Mousse Spray. I'm a self confessed sucker for a hair product that promises volume and a little added oomph to my flat lacklustre locks, and I am also a massive Lee Stafford fan. When I therefore saw Lee Stafford haircare on a 3 for 2 in boots, I was certainly not going to walk away from the offer. One new thing I grabbed was this root boost and I am in love. A little goes a long way, and I do think that if not rubbed into the roots properly, it can go a little stiff in your hair, but this really does add a bit of va va voom to your hair. I have already purchased another bottle for when this one runs out.

Next is the St Tropez Self Tan Express Bronze Mousse. This has made its way to the top of my tanning list, and replaced my beloved Xen Tan. This tan applies so nicely and does not streak at all. It also lasts ages, I have so far found that it easily lasts me a week. It also fades so nicely, none of that streaky patchy fading with this stuff. It is pricy at £33 but so worth it!

Another haircare product is the Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo. As well as being prone to flatness, my hair gets greasy very quickly. I wash it every other day, but I also have to dry shampoo it on the days I don't wash it. I do also use a lot of products on my hair throughout the week, such as the root boost, dry shampoo, texturising spray, salt spray…the list goes on. It is therefore so nice once a week (usually sunday) to use a great clarifying shampoo. This stuff really throughly cleans my hair. It isn't one to go for if you're looking for volume or shine etc, but if you just want really clean hair, this stuff is great.

Next is a rediscovered product, and it is Chanel Le Blanc. I stopped using this for a while, but lately I have been mixing it in with my moisturiser and it has been leaving a natural looking glow and dewy finish under my make up. It is also great to mix with a foundation that may be a bit too dark for you to make it a better match, or using on top of make up as a highlighter. 

Another Chanel product is the Illusion D'Ombre Eyeshadow in the shade Mirage. This is a bronze/brown shade that looks great all over the lid or in the crease. It has some shimmer to it which I like for a made up look. It's creamy, long lasting and comes with a cute little brush to apply it on the go!

Last is the Rimmel Salon Pro Nail Varnish in the shade Hip Hop. This has been my go to summer shade, and is somewhere in between a red/orange shade. These nail varnishes are really long lasting and do not chip at all which I love, because I find so few are like this for me! The brush is also great as it is as wide as your nail, so application is so quick and easy. 

T'is the season to be tanning

Okay I have to admit this is a slightly misleading blog title, because for me every season is the season to be tanning. I am naturally paler than Casper, and a little faux glow makes me feel a whole lot better about myself. However, for most of you who only need a bit of tan in the summer months, here are some recommendations of my personal faves. I consider myself a bit of a pro when it comes to tanning as its something I do at least once a week, and I have tried most of the ones out there, but I have whittled it down to a few of my favourites. 

First up is the St Tropez Self Tan Express Bronze Mousse. This tan is being raved about in the beauty blogging world at the moment and after using it I see why. Mousse's are my personal favourite choice of tanners because I find them easier to work into the skin, and they are usually coloured meaning it is much easier to see how much and where you are applying your tan. I leave this on for 3 hours which is said to give a dark tan. I don't find it that dark more medium, and I don't think that leaving it on for an hour leaves much colour at all. After washing it off, it continues to develop for 8 hours, so I like to use the day before an event, and it tends to last me 3-4 days, and fades very naturally. This is definitely more of a high end tan as it costs £33 so I tend to save this one for special occasions. 

A cheaper alternative to the Express Bronze Mousse is the Cocoa Brown One Hour Tan Mousse. This product works exactly the same way as the St Tropez, again with three different shades developing depending on whether you leave it on for 1, 2 or 3 hours. Again I also leave this one on for 3. This is a much cheaper alternative as it only costs £7.99 from feel unique. It doesn't last quite as long as the St Tropez but gives you the same great results. 

The most expensive and also the most long lasting tan I am going to mention is the Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe. This costs a whopping £40 which is a lot of money for a fake tan, but it really does last ages. I save this for if I am going away on holiday, or to a festival or something, and don't want to take tan with me so need something that will last me about a week. This is a gel like lotion formula that is meant to be applied before going to bed and then washed off in the morning, so that it is left on for around 8 hours. Don't let the word dark put you off if you are fair skinned, it leaves a much more olive tone than dark or orange. I do however have a few small complaints about this product. Firstly, for some reason it does always seem to make my hands a little orange for the first two days, so I always apply it a couple of days before going away. Secondly, it is my least favourite tan to be sitting around in as I find it to be quite greasy and tacky. Despite that though, this tan really does last longer than any other I have used, usually for about 6-7 days and fades really naturally also.

If I haven't bothered to tan properly for something, and I just want some instant colour, I always use the Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan Matte in the shade light. This costs £6.99, lasts ages, and is water resistant. I have sometimes showered quickly and this has actually stayed on so it's great for times when you haven't gone all out on your tan. Only a small amount of this is needed, and I recommend the shade light as this can come out quite dark. 

Finally, is another instant tan the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs in Light Glow, which is a spray on tan. This tan is make up for your legs, but I actually sometimes use it all over. It conceals bruises, cellulite, veins, pores and any other leg imperfections you may have going on. It leaves your legs looking so smooth and gives them a beautiful shimmery glow. Again I use the shade light as it can be quite dark. This is also great to use on top of tan on your legs if you have your legs out and really want them to look perfect. This does need to be quite fiercely scrubbed off in the shower if you want to remove it though as it stays on pretty well and is also water resistant. This only costs £9.99 which I think is so much less than it is worth. 

June Favourites

June has really flown by, and has been such a busy month for me! I've finished uni, got a job, been to Paris and been to Glastonbury so I have really neglected Naomi Rose this month. Shame on me. However, I have nothing else coming up to distract me (boo hoo) so can really get back into the blogging world. 

This month i've discovered some new bits that have really changed my beauty routine, and bits that I will definitely be, or have already repurchased. Theres quite a few so sorry about that but I really couldn't leave any out.

First is a body product. I'm really lazy when it comes to taking care of my body. I fake tan once a week so also exfoliate, but i'm so lazy when it comes to moisturising. However, I was bought a soap and glory gift set for my birthday, and only recently started using the bits in it. One of them was the Soap and Glory Righteous Body Butter. This moisturiser smells so amazing and makes my skin feel so smooth and not oily or greasy, I have fallen in love. The pot is also huge so has lasted me ages and i'm only about halfway through. It is also great for fake tanners like myself to preserve the tan and also stop it clinging onto any dry bits. Definitely recommend this for lazy body moisturisers like myself!

Next is the Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask, which I have been wanting to get my hands on for ages. I love the Drink up Intensive overnight mask, so was sure that I would love this too. You apply it to damp skin, wait for it to dry and then wash it off, and your skin instantly feels so much cleaner and smoother. I used this after Glastonbury, when my skin was feeling dry and neglected and it made such a difference. I also find that if i'm having a bad skin day, using this quickly before applying my make up makes such a big difference. I do find that I do have to rub it off my skin a bit more than I would like, but my sensitive skin doesn't go red or stingy afterwards which is always a bonus for me.

Another skin care product I have been loving this month is the much raved about Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum. I have wanted this for ages but finally caved this month and I don't know how I ever coped without it. I use a few drops of the oil before going to bed, and wake up with my skin feeling so much smoother and plumper. My skin has always been quite red, and I really think that this has calmed it down so much, and also prevented me having break outs. I cannot recommend this product enough. 

Where make up is concerned, there is one product that has changed my routine forever. It's the Kiehls Micro Blur Skin Perfector. This claims to refine and smooth skin texture, minimise the appearance of pores and improve skins quality over time. I use a small blob all over as a primer, but it can also be used as a treatment at night time. When I first started using this, so many people commented on how good my skin looks. It minimise the appearance of my pores and makes my skin look so much smoother, and definitely keeps my make up on for longer. I really really love this product and have already bought another one just before this one runs out. It also lasts ages which is great and I definitely think it is worth the £23 price tag.

Another make up product is a foundation i'm late to rave about. It's the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet. I never thought there would be a foundation to replace Estee Lauder Double Wear for me, but this has swayed my view on foundations totally. It is so much more sheer and lightweight compared to the double wear which I never thought I would like but now love. I prefer this to the vitalumiere aqua, as it offers a little more coverage, and has a more matte finish, which is good for those with oily skin like myself. I purchased this in both B10 and B20 as i'm B10 naturally and B20 with a tan.

I've mentioned before that I don't use a lot on my lips, but I have purchased a lip balm that I love. It's the EOS lipbalm in pomegranate and raspberry. It leaves my lips feeling smooth and good enough to eat. Theres also so much of it I can see it lasting me ages, and i'm definitely going to try some new flavours. 

Finally (sorry for listing so many products I had to include them all) is a perfume. I love all of the Marc Jacobs fragrances and have an ever growing collection, and my newest addition is the Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau so Fresh. This is such a nice sweet floral fragrance for summer, and is sweeter than the regular Daisy. I have had so many compliments when I have worn this, and of course the bottle looks so pretty up on my shelf!

Paris

I have well and truly neglected my blog for what feels like forever, but thats because I have just been crazy busy. I won't bore you with all the details, but one thing I did do was go to Paris with Andy, and I thought I would just do a short post on it as I had the most amazing time in the most beautiful place.

We did all of the expected touristy stuff you would expect to do if going to Paris, and it was all just so pretty. We were also so so lucky with the weather.

 I am also going to do a blog post on how I packed for the trip as we only took hand luggage, but anyway, here are a few pictures of the trip, and I will definitely be getting back into regular posting from now on!

Disappointing Products

I am a total sucker for reading rave reviews about a product, and then going out and buying it myself. A lot of the time I am really pleased that I did so, but three recent purchases have unfortunately just been a massive disappointment. 

The first is a bit controversial as it is very popular amongst bloggers but I just have not got on with it no matter how hard i've tried, and believe me I have tried. Its Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in the shade Chantilly. I know, I know, I know this product is loved by so many but for me it just did nothing. I found it to be too thick under my eyes, which is the main area I like to use concealer, and it just sat there in fine lines. It also did not conceal my dark circles at all. The only thing I will say in defence of this concealer is I do think the shade I have is too light for me and I need vanilla instead. Perhaps if I were to try that shade it might be better, but for now this is just a big no no for me.

Next is the Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Finish Foundation in the shade Porcelain. Again, I do think this is perhaps a shade too light for me, but I just did not notice it on my skin at all. I really like the fact that it comes with a pump, so not too much product came out, but once on my skin it felt quite heavy and did absolutely nothing. It didn't look like I had anything on my skin, and not in a good way. It was also quite drying which is unusual, as if anything, foundation usually makes my skin too oily. After paying £30 for this I am just not impressed at all and know I can get much better ones for the same price or less.

Last is a skincare product that I was really looking forward to using, and it is Indeed Labs Pepta-Bright. This serum is designed to improve skin clarity and tone and is supposed to leave you with radiant looking skin. Since using this product day and night like advised, I have seen absolutely no difference in my skin. Also, when I use it in the mornings, I find it to leave my skin feeling a little greasy under my make up. I have also found myself getting through it quite quickly despite using small amounts at a time, which is very annoying as it is £29.99, although I did get it when it was on offer. I find my Clarins Pore Minimising Serum to do much more than this, and my Clarins serum is only £26. I was also keen on trying Indeed Labs Hydraluron but I am slightly hesitant after being so disappointed with the Pepta-Bright. 

Topping Up

Topping up make up throughout the day is something I hate to do, and to be honest something I usually forget to do. I think i'm just too lazy and I don't want what i'm putting on my skin to affect what I already have on. However, for the last couple of weeks I have been taking out just four products with me for that point in the day where your make up has slid off your face, and they have been working a treat. 

I wanted to keep it simple so that I wasn't just overloading my face with product throughout the day but was instead just perfecting what had come off. Firstly, I take out concealer. At the moment I am trying out Soap and Glory Kick Ass Concealer and so far I am really impressed. It comes with a salmon colour corrector and then a more yellow toned concealer which is great for dark circles under the eye and also taking away redness from a blemish. It also has another little compartment with a brightening powder to make you look more awake, but I haven't really been using this to be honest. I think I kind of just keep forgetting its there and I rarely specifically powder my under eye area anyway.

Next I take out a foundation, which I don't always need to use but it really has been a life saver in recent months when I have found myself caught in the rain. I take out the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in the shade Rose Ivory. I don't think that the phrase less is more has ever been more appropriate than when talking about this product. This really is a full coverage foundation and it has taken me a bit of a time to get used to, but now I know how best to use it for me I love it. I kid you not when I say I use a teeny tiny amount of this, and I only use it where I need it. For me this is usually my chin and my nose as that is where I get red, or if I do get a spot, 9 times out of 10 it will be on my chin. I like taking this out as I don't need to faff around with a brush it is really quick and easy, and also doesn't smudge or ruin any make up I already have on. 

The one thing I will always have on me and will usually use at some point throughout the day is powder. I just unfortunately have a really oily T zone so I need a translucent setting powder to keep my base in place (accidental rhyme) and I often need to apply more throughout the day. My go to powder is the Laura Mercier Pressed Setting Powder which I really love and have recently hit the pan with which makes me so sad. This is great because it has no colour but is translucent so just sets your make up in place. I also prefer a pressed powder over a loose powder because loose are just far too messy for me and I end up wasting so much product. In the morning I apply this with a big fluffy Real Techniques Powder Brush but when i'm topping it up, I just use the small sponge it comes with to dab onto my oily areas, which is mostly my T Zone. 

Lastly I take something for my lips. I am not really into lip products and you'll never see me with big bright bold lips or anything like that. Mostly because I have really skinny lips so there is absolutely no point drawing attention to them anyway. If I do go crazy and wear a lipstick it is a nude, but usually I just wear lip balm. One product I absolutely love though is the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in the shade 02 Apricot Shimmer. It's a soft peachy nudey tone and leaves my lips feeling so soft. This product is perfect for someone like me who just likes a really subtle hint of colour and some gloss on their lips. It's really smooth but not sticky at all and smells amazing. My mum also recently purchased the shade 05 Candy Shimmer which is also amazing and looks great alone or over lipstick. 

Oh and by the way just incase any of you were wondering my little cream leather make up bag is from H&M and is perfect to carry around throughout the day. There are other colours too, but I just think it is so cute. 

Evening Skincare

I'm a bit of nerd when it comes to a well structured skincare routine and I rarely miss out any stages from my night time routine (unless i've been out and usually just jump straight into bed). I do however change things up a bit every now and then but I thought I would show my current routine as my skin has been quite good lately so I must be doing something right (heres where I jinx myself and breakout this week).

I'm a big fan of double cleansing and while I know so many people are really anti make up wipes, I really like to use them before I go in with a cleanser. My favourite ones to use are the No 7 Beautiful Skin Quick Thinking Wipes, as they're not too dry like I find others to be, and they're great for sensitive skin like mine. They're quite pricy for wipes at £7, but boots give out £5 off No 7 skincare and make up vouchers so often, I always use them on these wipes. I stock up and usually by the time i'm about to run out I collect another voucher. 

Next I cleanse again using the Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser for normal/combination skin. I really really love this cleanser as its gentle but effective and only a small amount is needed so lasts ages. I wet my face first, using cool water in the morning and warm water in the evening and then massage this into my skin. It goes from a cream to a more creamy milky consistency and removes every last bit of make up, dirt and oil (yuck) from my face. Its also only £19 which I think is a bargain for this product.

After cleansing I use a toner. I'm currently using the Botanics 100% Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz. I like the fact that it is a spritz so at night time I can just spray it onto my face saving a lot of time (and cotton pads). It smells really really nice and floral, but the downside to this product is that it contains alcohol which can be drying. I haven't had this problem but those with dry skin might do. This toner is fine for now but I think once I run out I might try a new one. I currently have the L'oreal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution lined up which supposedly cleanses, tones and soothes the skin, so i'm going to try that next. 

At night time I like to use a treatment before moisturising. My skin gets really red on my cheeks and nose, especially after removing make up and cleansing etc, but I have been loving the La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense Intensive Serum. I use two pumps of this all over my face and see instant results and my skin feels smooth and plump after use. I then use La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.I Targeted Breakout Corrector on any breakouts I have at the time, which is usually on my chin. This is great for reducing redness and preventing an under the skin spot from rearing its ugly head. I got these on a 3 for 2 so can't remember how much I paid at the time but I believe the serum is about £16 and the corrector is £9.50. I then go in with whatever moisturiser I am using at the time which at the moment is a Nivea one for normal/combination skin.

I like to use an eye cream also, as my under eye area can get a little dry, so I like to keep it well moisturised as it also means my concealer will apply better (and trust me I need it there). I'm currently using the Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus. This claims to be wrinkle reducing but I can't say I have noticed much of a difference so I think I may try a different one next time especially as this one costs £30. 

Lastly, about three times a week I like to really try and hydrate my skin and I love love love (yes I really do love it that much) the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. I use a small amount all over my face before I go to bed and wake up with my skin feeling hydrated, plump and smooth. This stuff also smells amazing. It has Apricot Kernel Oil, Avocado oil, Mango Butters and Seaweed in it and it smells good enough to eat. It costs £22 which is a lot for a face mask but it really is great to use and will last ages. I want to try the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to clear pores next too as i've read great things about this also.

Sorry this post is pretty long but I really enjoy reading these posts myself so thought I would go all out and explain it all in detail. Please let me know if there are any products you would highly recommend as I love trying out new skincare products.

Space NK, Chanel and Boots Haul

This week it seemed the only thing to relieve me of some of this dissertation and final year stress was a little retail therapy. I just can't help myself and it really does make me feel so much better, shame the same can't be said for my bank account. Although I feel as though I should probably be treating myself after hand in's rather than motivating myself to actually work but hey ho.

Firstly, I went into Space NK and was drawn to the Kevyn Aucoin counter. For months I have been reading so many good reviews on the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder and Celestial Powder. I decided to try out the sculpting powder as I currently don't have a product like this, other than my Daniel Sandler Sculpt and Slim, but that is a much lighter and also more shimmery shade. The packaging of this product is so sleek and luxurious and the size makes it so easy to carry around. One thing I would say though, is that only a very small amount is needed, which can then be built up if you're fair skinned like myself otherwise a lot of blending is needed. I wipe off any excess product on the back of my hand and then I am good to go. So far I am loving this product and now I understand all of the rave reviews.

Next I bypassed the Chanel counter again and went for another product I have had my eye on for a while. The Chanel Le Blanc has been recommended to me by quite a few people and I have to say that I am definitely now a convert. This is another lavish product that can be used under makeup, mixed in with foundation or on top of make up to highlight, and just leaves your skin looking fresh and dewy in such a subtle way. This product is also really good at lightening a foundation which may be a bit too dark for you. The only downside to this product is the fact that it is in a glass bottle, but i've heard that the Nars Sheerglow foundation pump fits perfectly onto this bottle also. 

The last stop on my shopping trip was boots where I am always a sucker for that 3 for 2 offer. I grabbed myself a Real Techniques Blush Brush and the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. The bristles of the brush are definitely not as soft as other real techniques face brushes I have, but I really like using this brush with my Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder as I don't currently have a proper contouring brush. To finish off my 3 for 2 I grabbed some No 7 eyelash curlers as I recently broke mine. I think that the 3 for 2 offer is still on for another couple of weeks so I would definitely recommend getting down there. 

Le Volume De Chanel

I had a weak moment this week walking past the chanel counter and had an iddy biddy splurge on the Le Volume De Chanel Mascara, but I have to say I have no regrets. Firstly, the luxurious branding gets me every time and this sleek and slim black mascara is no different. This mascara has a thick and wide wand which I am not usually a fan of, as I have become used to using my L'oreal Telescopic skinny brush for years so using this larger one was really different for me. 

The chanel mascara definitely has not disappointed and has given me sky high, thick and curly lashes, and my favourite thing about it is the ease of application. I kid you not I only needed to coat my lashes with three swift sweeps and I was done. The first time I applied it though I did find that it put maybe a bit too much product on my lashes, but the second time I made sure to brush off a little access product and was much happier with the results. I don't usually use mascara on my bottom lashes, as I instead use a nearly run out older mascara so that I don't put too much product on causing panda eye, and I definitely think this mascara would maybe put way too much product on bottom lashes.

If I tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, I have to say I do not notice a huge difference between my lashes after using the chanel and the loreal straight away after application, but I would say that the fact the chanel is so quick and easy to apply, and maybe prevents my lashes from becoming stiff by the end of the day, this may have become my new favourite. However, at the price of £25 compared to loreal telescopic at the price of £10.99, maybe I will have to reserve my chanel for special occasions and keep loreal as more of a cheaper day time mascara. 

Clarins Skincare Saviours

I am constantly seeking out skincare products to add to my routine that will help with my sensitive red skin and also my large open pores, which are quite frankly gross. 

I have tried and tested umpteen different cleansers and have finally found one I love, without the hefty price tag. Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser is perfect for getting all of my make up and excess dirt off without leaving my skin feeling tight and rubbery. I use the one for normal combination skin with cottonseed, but there are also ones available for dry or oily skin. I only need to use a small amount on my skin so this has lasted me for ages and only costs £19. I know there are many more luxurious cleansers out there such as the Emma Hardie cleansing balm but with a price tag of £36 it unfortunately is not a product I can afford right now.  

The next Clains product I have grown to love is their Pore Minimizing Serum. Like I said, I suffer with large open pores which are a pain when applying make up. Although others say they aren't too noticeable, I know they are there and they drive me crazy! This serum refines and smoothes the skin texture meaning that make up goes on much more smoothly without sitting in those pores. Over time the serum also works to minimise the pores for good which can only be a good thing, especially for someone like me. The serum costs £26 and only needs to be applied using the tiniest amount once a day in the morning before make up, so i'm hoping this will be lasting me a very long time.