A few bits I've picked up

Hello all! I had a bit of a poopy morning yesterday. I had the day off and I'd been looking online at some new skincare I thought I'd buy and some foundation but then in the morning I washed my hair and was starting to get ready and my scalp, oh my god, it was just so so dry and flaky after washing. I usually use my Neutrogena T Sal Therapeutic shampoo but thought I'd see how my head did without it - what a mistake!! This got me in such a downer and I just had one of those 'I hate everything' moments. But once I got out the house I felt a bit better and just thought, I'll overcome it and it's not the end of the world.

So, I've been using No7's skincare products for a good 8 months and I was starting to realise that just using a cleansing water and a exfoliator once or twice a week just wasn't cutting it. I'm 24 now and my skin needs a bit more TLC! I am very tempted to buy the Antipodes Divine face oil but for some reason something has held me back. It's one of those things I want to speak to someone in person about but I wouldn't know the first place to go for it! eep. So the first thing I thought I'd try is the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. Lots and lots of you and other bloggers have used this and love it and so I couldn't miss out! I picked up the starter kit from John Lewis for £14.50 which I think is a really good price for such a renowned product. You get 100ml of product and two cloths and I used it a few hours after buying to remove my makeup and am very excited to give it a proper review in a month or so!

I  then wanted to tackle my scalp problem and thought Lush would be just the place for some advice firstly and maybe a shampoo or treatment. The lady was so helpful, aren't they always? She said she had used the product, called Soak and Float, herself when she had psoriasis on her scalp and it cleared it right up! The one downside, it absolutely stinks! But I guess if something is meant to be good for your skin it's not always going to smell great. She showed me a few other products that might help but I get wary of putting too much product on places where I have problems in case it gets worse. As I was in there I picked up the infamous lip scrub in Mint Julips. I have dry lips so I'm looking forward to using this regularly and seeing an improvement.

Another item I've picked up recently is L'Oreal's Heat Styling Spray for volume. I've been really bad in the last few years with protecting my hair from heat, I must have thought I was indestructible or something haha. So I figured it was about time I got something to protect it when blow drying and liked the sound of something that would help give volume too. I have quite a lot of hair, but it's not really thick so it tends to look a bit flat and gross. I think the packaging is really slick too and it has a really good on/off button in case it accidentally sprays all over the place you keep it!

So those are some exciting new products I'll be reviewing here in due time. I'm off to Birmingham in a few hours to watch the Arenacross. I know it sounds very boyish but I do enjoy it and it means I get to have a sneak around Forever 21 too! Hope you all have a fun Saturday. 

Discoveries of 2012

Ok, so I know it's now two weeks into January but I thought I'd share with you the products I discovered, and liked, in 2012. A bit like a 2012 favourites I suppose! I started blogging early in 2012 and I wouldn't have tried most of these products if it wasn't for this blog and reading every elses. You hear so much hype about certain products and so you get your purse and jump onto the bandwagon, sorry bank. There are definitely some products that I will continue to use for most of 2013 but I'm looking forward to finding some more gems this year.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation, probably one of the most talked about foundations of 2012. I used to be a bit of a foundation snob and wore my MAC foundation daily and had another for when I was going out but wanted to be a bit more glam. I saw so many bloggers rave about it that I thought it must be worth a try. I wasn't sure in the beginning but then after using it a while it totally grew on me and made me love drugstore products again. It did make me feel a little more oily than usual but I'd just make sure I had some powder to hand! It's one of those products that has gone beyond the boundaries of drugstore products and I loved it.

Real Techniques brushes, this is one of the products I wouldn't even know to try had it not been for Anna. I remember watching a video and thinking I need that buffing brush. So when I had finished my dissertation I treated myself in Boots to the Core Collection and remember the lady being like "oh, these are expensive!" and I agreed, just to be polite, but then thought well no you get 4 brushes for £22. Crazy lady. Anyway, I didn't really want the other brushes so got to work using the buffing brush everyday (and still everyday!!) with my foundation. I was amazed at the difference a brush could make. It makes it seem so much more natural and blended than a normal foundation brush. I then started to experiment more with the other brushes and now use the pointed foundation brush for my concealer and use the contour brush for my blush on the apples of my cheeks. The only brush I don't use is the detailer brush but I'm sure I may one day. My collection has now grown and I also have the Starter Set but I also want the powder brush!

L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Cream, I purchased this one when the BB cream world was getting popular and I think there was some kind of deal with L'Oreal products so it was either cheaper or free! I wasn't impressed at first and left it to the side for a while until I started to tan and realised that this was perfect for giving me low coverage with a beautiful glowing finish. I used it all throughout holiday and find it perfect for what I need it for.

L'Oreal Superliner Gel Intenza, I've had a love-hate relationship with eyeliner for a long, long time. I love the look of it but found it so hard to do and wasn't sure it even suited my  eyes let alone my face. I was in the mood to give it another shot and thought a gel eyeliner may work better than the pens or kohl pencils. I instantly fell in love with this product. It is super easy to use and gives a great, slick finish. The brush it comes with isn't the best but it works if you don't have another. It will also last a majorly long time even though it's such a small pot, I've only made a small dent in it and had it since like February last year!

MUA Undressed, another blogger fave and after umm-ing and ahh-ing about getting it I was kindly given it for Christmas and am so glad I did. I started to try eyeshadow again (me and my eyes ay!) in October so thought this very cheap palette would be great for experimenting. I've loved seeing what the shades will do together and giving them a go, luckily I had a lot of time off around Christmas so used this everyday. Go get it!!

Maybelline The Falsies, I hadn't actually heard much about the product before I bought it but have always used either Rimmel or Maybelline mascaras and like to try new ones out. After using this one though I haven't wanted to try anything else! It's great for thickness and volume and doesn't make your eyelashes clumpy. Score!! I also like that the packaging is purple... and it has wings on - such a girl.

Kate Moss for Rimmel Lipstick in 101, I tried the last lot of Kate Moss' lipsticks and thought they were good quality so when these ones came out I read a few of the blogs to see the shades and confirmed it was 101 that I was after. It's a beautiful and natural pinky shade that is great for everyday wear or when you're going out but may have other colours going on elsewhere. It isn't too obvious you are wearing lipstick, which is what I quite like, and it's moisturising which is good for my terribly dry lips.

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer, where have you been if you haven't heard of this beauty. Another one of those 'here's the bandwagon you better get on fast' products. I suffer with quite bad dark circles so this one is great for under the eye as well as helping calm down the redness on my cheeks and nose - thanks mum!! It's around £4 and lasts well. The packaging is pretty rubbish but I'd rather pay less and it be cheap packaging than pay a bit more just for it to look better. Well done Collection!

Garnier Simply Essentials Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, I used to be one of those who used a face wipe or, occasionally, some cream cleanser to take off my mascara. I then started to realise what I was doing to the gentle eye area and bought this. I've used about 4 bottles and I will continue to buy it until I see something else better. It's great. It's for people with sensitive eyes or those who just want to be a bit more gentle. You put some on a cotton pad and hold on the eye for about 10 seconds then wipe. It is super soft and feels quite refreshing. My eyes used to really sting after using wipes or just feel really, like clogged up after using a cream based cleanser. I have noticed a difference in my eye area since using it and would 100% recommend it.

So there we have it, a selection of items I discovered and loved in 2012. I still forget to write 2013 on things but we all do that for about a month, don't we? I'm really looking forward to finding some more amazing products in 2013 and seeing what happens here on the blog. I hope you enjoyed it :)

Skincare haul

Hello! I've had my No7 skincare bits now since early May, it was almost to the end of it's life and I haven't had any problems with it so I thought well I may as well just repurchase! So I popped down to Boots and the skincare was back on 3 for 2, as well as all makeup half price!! I stopped myself indulging in that though - gotta save the pennies!!

I definitely wanted to buy the moisturiser again and cleanser but I didn't really need another exfoliator/face mask as I think there's probably still a good bit left in it. I was totally stuck!! And then I started second guessing whether to buy the foaming cleanser again or to go for the cleansing water. Decisions. 

I decided in the end to buy the cleansing water because I felt it was a tad annoying to have to go through the effort of washing my face when I just wanted to remove my makeup. The cleansing water is so much easier and quicker, just pop some on a cotton pad and wipe! Easy.

So for my 3rd item I went for the Overnight Radiance Boost. When I initially went to the No7 stand the lady put some of this on my hand but I wasn't won over yet. I thought this sounded like a good product to try as I sometimes feel my face is very dull and I'd like to be able to go more makeup free and feel like my skin is, well radiant!

I also picked up an eye makeup remover. I actually bought this for the first time about a month ago and I have fell in love. It's so soft on the delicate eye area and removes makeup so easily! I don't know why I never thought to buy one before. And it's only £2.99!

Have you gone a a bit skincare crazy lately? Always like to read your comments! x

Skincare routine #2

Hiya! So in my last post on skincare, here, I said I was going to do a separate post on one of the items I picked up when finally being a grown up and getting a 'proper' skincare routine. It is No7's Beautiful Skin Purifying Mask - also known as purifying exfoliator on their website.

I bought this because it was a 3 for 2 so I thought I may as well have something else, but also because I like the feeling of my skin having a proper good scrub and it's good to do so isn't it? The counter lady said it was her favourite out the of Beautiful Skin care range and I liked the fact it could be used as a mask or just an exfolitor. What she didn't tell me, and what was a very pleasant surprise was that it heats on contact with your skin! I've never felt this before from a product and I really like it when I use it, it makes me think it's actually doing something.

To use this I wet my face, but make sure it's not dripping wet, then rub in circular motions into my face, leaving it for about 2-5 minutes. (however long it takes me to do my next shower task!) This mask/exfoliator is AMAZING. Yes, I've used capitals to express just how much I really like it! It leaves my skins so clear and smoothe looking, it makes me not want to put any makeup on as I know as soon as I do the feeling will be gone. I use it approximately twice a week, always in the mornings but there is a downside to it...

It leaves residue all over my face - even after spending minutes washing my face. Urgh, I get out the shower and can see white mostly on my chin, my forehead by my eyebrows and sometimes on my nose. I just don't get it? I don't think I put too much on and I try not get it anywhere near my eyebrows as it sticks in the hair and is hard to remove but it still happens. This is the one thing I really dislike, but the way it leaves my skin keeps me coming back.

Do you use this product or one similar? Do you have any advise to get rid of the left over bits?! Leave me a comment :)

Skincare routine #1

Hello guys, sorry I have been quiet for a while I'm having a hard time adjusting to working life and literally just want to come home and get under the duvet again! I'm sure my life will restore itself at some point (I hope) but in the meantime I hope you enjoy my posts!

I have been wanting to post about my skincare routine for what feels like forever now. If you've read one of my latest posts here then you will know that I have never really had a 'proper', what I'd like to call grown up, skincare routine. I would just take my makeup off with a wipe and then wash my face in the mornings with some kind of face wash. Some I used to get along with fine but others I felt like they did absolutely nothing and it's probably true that your skin does get used to it so then when you don't use it it has a little freak out!

So, I went into Boots and to No7 to try and get my skin looking good and purchased the new No7 Beautiful Skin range for normal - oily skin. There were so many products on offer I could have chosen but I went for the foaming cleanser, the day cream and a face mask which I will do a separate post on - hopefully soon!

I do have more pictures but for some reason Blogger is rotating them - anyone know why?

I quite like the idea of using water in my routine so opted for the foaming cleanser. This can be a bit awkward if I'm removing makeup without getting in the shower but hey! I lightly wet my face, which does feel a little odd when I've got a full face of makeup, and then push down on the nozzle which brings out a really light foam. I would use 1 and a half to two pumps of this to for my face which I massage on leaving me looking a little bit like santa clause! I really like this though for one of the first foaming cleansers I've tried. It leaves my skin feeling really clean and fresh, much more so than when I used to just use a wipe or face wash! It amazes me how the concoction actually removes makeup! I have been using this morning and evening at the moment and have just under 1/4 left after 3 months so not too bad! I would like to incorporate something like the Bioderma in the mornings though to mix things up a bit!

My usual moisturiser was Simple's Light Hydrating Moisturiser which I used to slather all over my face. The lady at the No7 counter told me to just put moisturiser on the outer edges of my face for my skin to really benefit and not get too greasy and shiny during the day. So I have been trying this out, with some luck but I still do tend to rub into more of my face than I probably should! It has SPF15 plus 5 stars against UVA rays which is pretty good for a moisturiser! It is very light and the packaging makes me feel much more grown up hehe.

I'm not sure if I've seen much difference in terms of oily-ness but my skin feels much better using these products and because they take a little longer to use than my old bits and bobs it makes me use them rather than being lazy with my face and regretting it!

What products are you using at the moment? Anything you would recommend to introduce?

Haul

I had to pop into town yesterday to take some tops back that I haven't worn for work so I thought it'd be a good time to seriously start taking care of my skin. I've not really thought or read up on skincare but through blogging I have realised that no matter how much you spend on makeup and how much or little you wear if you don't have good skin it will never look it's best.
As I had a No7 voucher I thought I'd give them a go first of all. I walked in, really not sure where to look or what to think and found they cater for three different skin tones; dry/very dry, normal/dry and normal/oily. I do feel I probably have combination skin as it can feel dry before moisturising but then feels oily too and I have recently been having major breakouts!! I asked the assistant for her advice and she was so lovely, explained all the different products they have on offer and said I should go for normal/oily and start with the cleanser and moisturiser. As it was 3 for 2 (as well has being able to still use the £5 off voucher) I also bought the face mask - which, she told me, also doubles up as an exfoliator.

(L-R No7 foaming cleanser, skin purifying face mask & day cram all for normal/oily skin)

So my new skincare regime will now consist of No7's foaming cleanser, followed by No7 beautiful skin day cream and then I will use the mask when I want a little extra help. Looking forward to letting you all know how it goes. The lady also told me that if I do have a problem then they will swap or give me a full refund! Lovely.

As I was in Boots I caved and bought the Essie nail polish in Mint Candy Apple. I have seen so many bloggers with this shade and I couldn't resist! It's gorgeous. Got home and gave myself a manicure straight away. I hope it lasts well.

I also picked up this ring from Dorothy Perkins. It looked quite unusual and i like the way it wraps around my finger.

Have you bought anything recently? Do you use any No7 skincare products? I was considering doing a video, but I'm not sure what to use - do you use your point & shoot camera to video or your laptop?