New Skincare additions - Garnier, Soap & Glory and Lush

So I went on a bit of a skincare mission the other week because I have some issues I need sorting!

Dark pigmented areas on the tops of my cheeks!

Small fine eye lines!

Dry flaky lips!

I kinda knew what I was going to buy before I even went into town because I did some online research and I am glad I did.

The Garnier Dark Spot Corrector (£7.99 normally £9.99) was on offer so that was a pretty good deal. I have used this every night for 3 weeks and it is definitely fading the dark patches. I am not sure they will go all together but I am pleased with the results so far. It is a lovely light formula that gives just enough hydration. It kind of has a light fragrance but I cannot put my finger on it!

I have noticed that I have started with a few very fine lines around my eyes. I'm not sure if it is because I am tired all the time or if I am just getting old, or both! I didn't realise but this Soap and Glory Super Eyes (£9.00) eye gel has small shimmer particles in it. You cannot tell once it is applied but it makes it look super pretty. I have been using this a while now and I can't really tell much difference  Maybe I need a rich cream rather than a gel. It is very nice though.

The last product is from Lush, it is their Sweet Lips Lip Scrub (£5.25). I got the chocolate one rather than the bubblegum one as I was informed by the man selling it me that it was being discontinued so I snapped it up. I have lusted after the bubblegum one for ages but this one is just as scrummy. It definitely works and I can see it lasting along time. I use it just before bed and then apply a lip balm and in the morning they are supple and soft and ready for lipstick!

Meadowhall is my weakness...

Haul time...

I have been having a nightmare at the moment with the hairdryer I use at uni. It is only a small travel one and now my hair is getting longer it takes ages to dry it and the past few times I have used it it has pulled my hair in the back of it creating lovely knots! I am scared that one day it will pull it all in and I will have to have it all cut off!

So when my boyfriend offered to take me to dinner in Meadowhall I took the opportunity to nip into Boots. 

I never really look at reviews for buying hairdryers I just pick a mid-priced one and opt for that.

This time I came away with this...

Mark Hill Raw Professional Style & Shine Pro-Power Dryer - Was £59.99 - Now £29.99.

What drew me to this one? Obviously the fact it is animal print!

I have had a look inside and it all looks fairly standard. I may do a review on this in the future but just on the design and price it gets a big thumbs up from me!

Tangle Teezer Compact Styler (Black/Gold) - £12.29

For Christmas I got a Tangle Teezer and I have used it everyday since and think it has made an improvement to my hair. It always looks smoother when combed with this. I have put the original in my bag a few times but it does squish the bristles a bit. So I decided to get the compact styler edition to keep in my handbag. I do think it is a little expensive but I will just have to live with that!

Sheer Blonde Colour Renew - Tone Correcting Shampoo - £5.89 (3 for 2)

Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Tone Correcting Conditioner - £5.89 (3 for 2)

Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Tone Correcting Mousse - £5.59 (3 for2) 

Burt's Bees Sensitive Night Cream - £14.99

 These products were bought on the recommendation of Lizzie (See her blog here!). 

My hair has been highlighted in the past but not for a very long time now and my natural colour is a dark blonde with natural highlights. I don't really want to highlight my hair again but I feel it is quite dull. 

When I mentioned this to Lizzie she said she uses the John Freida Brilliant Brunette range and maybe I should give the Sheer Blonde a go. So that is what I have done! I haven't used these yet but I am hopeful, I have read some good reviews about it and to be honest it can't make my hair any duller surely?!

She also recommended I try the Burt's Bees Sensitive Night Cream as I am having a few problems with my skin lately. I am always apprehensive about trying new skincare products because I do have very reactive and sensitive skin. I usually stick to products I know, even if they aren't amazing, just because they don't send my skin into a raw, red, painful mess. I am hoping this suits me because I am fed up of having to put up with bad skin.

Lastly I picked up a mega bargain in my opinion! 

Boots Re:Balance Re-Energise Effervescent Orange Flavour 60 Tablets - £8.99 each (3 for 2).

These are basically Berocca but so much cheaper seen as Berocca is £4.99 for 15! They were 3 for 2 but I gave a box to my boyfriend because I am nice like that! 

They are effervescent tables that you just pop into a glass of cold water, they fizz a bit and then you are left with a nice orange drink full of goodness!

Lately I have been feeling run down and decided that I needed to make sure I am getting the vitamins I need to boost my immune system. Usually I would say only take supplements if you have been told that you need them by a doctor but I have taken these for the past week now and I feel like they are having an effect. I do on the other hand have a virus right now so it could be a completely placebo effect! I am putting the virus down to mixing with new people at the start of term, dirty students eh?!

Anyway...I must stop going to Meadowhall...It makes my bank account cry!

Loves xxx

January 2012 Favorites

I have never done a monthly favorites post before but thought I would start now! These are products I have been loving this month, some are new and some a rediscoveries. Sorry for the pants picture quality, my camera is crap and my flat is dark. Hope you like!

Elemis Sp@ Home - Frangipani Monoi Body Oil (£29.70 - 100ml) - I got this as a sample when I bought two Elemis products a while ago but I put it away and forgot about it. I was considering buying some hair oil when I remembered I had squirreled this away. This oil can be used on hair, nails and body. I use them on all three! I use it as a deep treatment on my hair once a week by applying it to dry hair and then relaxing for a few hours until I shampoo it out. On my nails I use it when I take my varnish off to give them an extra moisture boost. On my body I apply it to damp skin and it soaks in leaving my skin baby smooth and smelling amazing.

 The only down point I have with this product is that it is solid in the bottle at room temperature and you have to warm it up for it to melt into an oil. So I have to know when I am going to use it as I have to wait 10 minutes before it is warm enough to melt! 

I have bought a full size bottle since opening this one so it isn't that much of an inconvenience obviously!

Phyto PhytoBaume Color Protect Express Conditioner (£10.20 -150ml) - This was one of the samples I recieved in my first Feel Unique Beauty Box. Although I don't colour my hair anymore I still have some bits that have been highlighted in the past. These tend to get dry and frizzy looking. I have used this product 3 times now and I am very impressed. You apply it to damp hair after shampooing and then rinse it out immedietly. This is a bit odd for me as I usually leave my conditioner on for a while. Having said that you wouldn't know it had only been on for a few seconds. It works very well, very fast! Smooth silky hair after using this. However it is £10.20 for a full sized 150ml bottle. Not sure I like it that much!

Next are two products worn together. I recently rediscovered my GOSH Lip Gloss 0010 (Not sure how much this was I bought it such a long time ago!). It is a shimmery pinky nude which looked really nice over MAC Creme Cup (£13.50). I have been wearing this on nights out and love it. I don't tend to wear lip glosses in the day as my hair tends to stick to it which drives me insane!

Figs & Rouge - Rambling Rose - lip, face & body balm  (£3.49 - 8ml) - There has been a lot of publicity about Figs & Rouge at the moment as apparently Emma Watson said it is one of her favorite products. Well she has a point! I have had this balm for quite some time now and apply it to my lips and any dry patches on my face every night. This is a winter must have if you ask me! I need to add more to my collection so I can have one in every bag as well as on my bedside table. Plus it is an utter bargain!

My January Favorites Most Favorite!

This month my most used and enjoyed product is another I got in my Beauty Box. 

It is the Lierac Paris - Creme Mesolift (£30.60 - £50ml). 

This is a rich anti aging moisturiser. I claims to make skin feel toned, smoothed and moisturised. I would say it definitely does all three. It doesn't leave any greasy residue which I hate. It just leaves you feeling moisturised, toned and fresh. It smells fantastic too, very zesty! The orange tinge to the cream did put me off at first but now I think it makes it look cute. This is a generous 15ml jar but I will be purchasing a full sized jar before my 10% code from my Beauty Box runs out!

Can't wait to do next months post. I wonder what will be my most favorite of February?

Loves xxx

Liz Earle - More than just Cleanse and Polish

This is my Liz Earle collection...

First of all I would like to say that I DO like the Liz Earle brand generally but there are a few products which I cannot bring myself to like (no matter how hard I try!).

I will be talking about the famous Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser but not quite yet. I think there are products which deserve more attention before that!

Treatments

From Left to Right include -

Smoothing Line Serum (10ml - £13.75)

Now I know I am not incredibly old yet but I want to try and get in there before the lines set in! I have a few around my eyes which are starting to appear and this is where it helps. I feel it definitely plumps around my eyes and if I stop using this I find my concealer under my eyes starts to sink into lines more. Therefore this gets a big thumbs up! Not sure how well it would work on very mature skin though.

Brightening Treatment Mask (50ml pump with cloth - £13.50)

WARNING TO THOSE WITH SENSITIVE OR REACTIVE SKIN - AVOID! This stuff stings like I don't know what! So I'm pretty sure if you have very sensitive skin this would set you off. My skin either loves this or hates it. Some days my skin looks so bright from using it but now and again it goes red and itchy. I love this when it works but I use with caution!

Deep Cleansing Mask (75ml tube with 2 sponges - £13.25)

This mask on the other hand has never caused a negative reaction. I don't think it is as deep cleansing as it claims but my skin always feels soft and looks improved after using it. A mega plus point for me is that this smells absolutely amazing. I have no idea what it is that I love in this scent but my gosh! Reminds me of the smell of Lychee! I could sniff the bottle for hours...but I wont!

Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion (150ml - £10.00)

I think this is one of my all time favorite LE products. To me it does exactly what it says it will. I soak two cotton wool pads with this and lay back and let my eyes feel the magic. After using they feel fresh, bright and soothed. They also look better as well, more awake (which is always welcome!) This is something I will be repurchasing again and again and again!

Hair and Body

From Left to Right include -

Botanical Shine Shampoo for all hair types (200ml - £8.00)

Yes I know what you are thinking...£8 for a shampoo! 

That was my first reaction.

Is it worth it?

Well kind of. 

It does leave my hair soft but I think it makes it TOO soft if you know what I mean? Because I have quite fine hair I need a bit of help in the volume department and this doesn't give me any lift at all. I probably use this once a week but I have donated usage to my mum who has short thick hair so this suits her down to the ground.

Botanical Shine Conditioner for fine or oily hair (200ml - £8.00)

I am more inclined to spent £8 on a conditioner than a shampoo so I thought this wasn't bad value if it did what I wanted it to. 

I picked the fine or oily because my hair is both! 

Well I am disappointed with this. 

I have cheaper conditioners which do a better job. If you are concerned about the ingredients companies put in their products like  SLS then this is fantastic because it is all natural, but for me I am not overly bothered. I just want my products to do what they say they will...The shampoo and conditioner don't in my book. They may do for you and if you have £16 to spare and want to try them I would say give it a go. 

I wont be repurchasing myself.

Hand Repair (150ml - £20.25)

Again...the price is a bit of a sticking point here for me. Yes the hand cream is good, smells nice and is in nice packaging but £20.25? I was hoping this was going to be the best thing to have ever graced my palms but it wasn't. If I was going to spend this much again I would probably opt for the L'occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream which is still cheaper.

Foot Scrub (100ml - £10.75)

After Eyebright this is one of my favorites! I had never used a foot scrub before this and I thought my feet were fine. After using this my feet are so smooth and looking back I must have had hobbit feet! I use this before using a body oil on my feet and they feel divine. 

I will repurchase this for sure.

Cleanse, Tone and Moisturiser

From Left to Right include -

Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (100ml starter kit with muslin cloth - £13.75)

This was my first purchase from Liz Earle 2 years ago. There wasn't  massive amounts of hype about it like there is now when I bought it so didn't really have much to go on. My mum recommended it to me after seeing it being sold on QVC. So I thought I would give it a go seen as my skin was a total mess at the time.

At first I loved this product. It was so quick and easy, my skin felt so clean and exfoliated. After 3 months of using it my skin stopped improving and started to revert back to how it was before. I tried all kinds of combinations of using it once a day, twice a day, every other day, having a break from it and so on...

After those 3 months it just never did anything for me. I still used it for a year and a half hoping it would work! I have switched to something else now which has helped my skin.

I would still recommend anyone to try Cleanse and Polish. I know it has done amazing things to others and when I first started using it it worked for me. I loved the application, the process of it all and I wish it had helped in the long term. The price for this I think is pretty good too. It lasted me a while even when I used it twice a day.

Instant Boost Skin Tonic (Pictured is a travel size as I can't find my big one! But a 200ml bottle is £12.25)

This I used the whole time I used Cleanse and Polish. I do like this toner but I think it is a little too gentle for me. I never really feel like it is 'toning'. It does smell nice and softens the skin but I want to actually feel like my toner is doing its job. I probably wouldn't buy this again but I didn't hate it.

Skin Repair Moisturiser Dry/Sensitive (50ml - £18.25)

I have a love/hate relationship with this moisturiser. I love that it is highly moisturising, has banished most dry patches on my face and it has lasted me ages. I hate that it smells strange, is very greasy and stings if I get it anywhere near my eyes!

The results of the moisturiser are good....but I can only use it as a night cream because of how greasy it is. If I wear this under makeup it's a messy situation by midday! So I would recommend as a night cream but not as a day cream!

I do have the Skin Repair Moisturiser Normal/Combination (50ml - £18.25) which is not pictured. I tend to use this one when my skin is oily as it is not as moisturising as the Dry/Sensitive but still suits my skin. I can still only use this at night though. I would be interested in trying the Light as I still find I have a residue with both the Dry/Sensitive and the Normal/Combination.

 Little Treats!

From Left to Right include -

Superskin Concentrate (10ml roller-ball - £19.00)

Some days during winter I feel like I need a skin boost! If my skin feel like the weather has been cruel to it or if I have been neglecting it a bit I like to put a small amount of this on under my moisturiser at night. It is like a I have an oil slick on my face but in the morning I feel like my skin had drunk it in and I look plumped and fresh. I would possibly avoid if you have very oily skin but for mature skins I would recommend. I think it could help smooth and tired dry skin in a night!

Sheer Skin Tint SPF 15 - Bare 01 (40ml - £21.00)

I am a little concerned about this product. I had read lots of rave reviews about this before I bought it. I haven't had any success with tinted moisturisers in the past but put my faith and £21 into this. When it came through the post it had a few samples with it. So I tried the Bare 01 before opening this box. 

I thought that the colour was an okay match, which I am use to seen as I am pale, nothing ever quite matches! 

I liked the consistency when applying it but felt I look extremely shiny! I never really use powder to set these days so it is not like I am a matte lover but this was a bit too shiny for me. By the time it got to the afternoon I was SO shiny I had to take my make up off.

I am not sure whether this was because I put my SPF underneath before I applied the Sheer Skin Tint. Maybe it was too much SPF?! I dunno! I am tempted to sell or give away my unopened box but then I think maybe I should wait until summer and give it another try?

Has anyone else used this and not liked it?

I shall wait and see I think.

Well that is the end of my thoughts on the products I currently own from Liz Earle. As you can tell I have some mixed feelings about some of the products.

I am always a little wary when buying products from Liz Earle as I know I will either really like them or just think 'meh! waste of money!'. 

I hope this help someone out there and if you have any comments please go ahead...

Loves xxx

Elemis Deep Clean Purifying Face Mask Review

Browsing on feelunique.com in the sales I came across some Elemis goodies. Anyone who is familiar with Elemis knows that they are not the cheapest range but are a top quality brand. Everything I have tried from them has done exactly what it says it does. They have a newish range of skincare for teens to twenties skin. I'm 26 so I'm pushing it a bit but thought I would give it a go. I bought the 'Get Up & Glow Skin Treats' gift pack which includes the following:

Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash 30ml

Softly Softly Daily Moisturiser 15ml

Deep Clean Purifying Face Mask 3 x 7ml 

(Original price - £10.00 / Sale price £8.00 @ www.feelunique.com)

I was initially drawn to this as I wanted to try the moisturiser as it's full size is much cheaper than the anti aging creams they do (which I probably need but can't afford at £60 a pop!). Having said that the first product that jumped out when it arrived was the mask!

The mask claims to draw out impurities and soften the skin...let's see if it does!

So I got out my sachet and began to apply. It is a clay mask which smells fairly good, kind of fruity! The consistency was very thick. I think I could probably have used a little less and got two uses out of this if I had somewhere to save the rest. It was easy to apply even though I got some in my hair!

I then left it for 10 minutes like it says on the pack and relaxed. 

I could feel the mask drying and my skin began to tingle...this is usually a good sign in my opinion! If felt like it was working.

Then I used my Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask Sponges to remove the mask, it took quite a bit of getting off I can tell you! Then splashed with cold water a few times to rinse the residue off.

I have to say the results are pretty good. I noticed the pores on my nose and chin appeared to be less obvious. Whether this is because it has 'drawn out impurities' I'm not sure but to be honest I don't care! I am very happy with the results and if I am this happy after using the other 2 sachets I will definitely purchase a full size!

 I can't help comparing it with Liz Earles Deep Cleansing Mask, which I do love especially the smell! I think the results of the Elemis mask are instant and it really does 'deep clean' impurities, where as I think the Liz Earle mask prevents too much build up of impurities but isn't as deep cleansing.

So Elemis...You have done it again for me. Keep up the good work!

Loves xxx

My Skin Care Routine - Liz Earle v. Elemis

Liz Earle - Previous Skin Care Routine

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish 100ml Starter Kit with Muslin Cloth @ £13.75 - Our plant based cleanser has a two-phase action, phase one is the cleansing. Free from mineral oil, it has a rich and creamy texture and swiftly removes all traces of face and eye make up, even stubborn mascara.

Instant Boost Skin Tonic 200ml @ £12.25 - Gentle and alcohol-free, this heavenly scented, non-drying floral toner revitalises, soothes and brightens skin.

My skin care routine has recently changed. I previously used the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, Instant Boost Skin Tonic and Skin Repair Moisturiser. When I first used these I loved them. I loved the clean feeling the Cleanse and Polish gave but it never really made my skin clear like it seems to with most people. I still had the same old break outs as before. I stuck with this for at least a year wanting it to work but it just hasn't really done wonders for my skin.

Then one day my lovely mother came to me and in her own special way said to me "Good god your skin is awful! You look like a teenager!". 

At the ripe old age of 26 I would usually take being told I look like a teenager as a compliment but not this time. She recommended that I try some Elemis products because they had been raving about it on QVC (I tried to tell my mum that that was their job as they wanted to sell it!). I thought I would give it a go anyway seen as I had nothing to lose. So off I went to investigate and here is what I found...

Elemis - New Skin Care Routine

Sensitive Cleansing Wash 200ml @ £19.40- This unique wash cleans skin effectively, yet is gentle enough for the most sensitive complexions. Thyme, German Chamomile and Lady’s Mantle are renowned for their anti-bacterial and soothing properties. Perfect for rehydrating dry and sensitive skin.

Soothing Apricot Toner 200ml @ £19.40 - Extracts of fragrant Apricot soothe and harmonise, giving rise to a fresh sensation and radiant appearance. Ideally suited to extra-sensitive, delicate and hormonal skin. This alcohol-free toner is so gentle, it may also be applied to cotton pads for a soothing eye treatment.

As I have pretty sensitive skin the lady at the counter suggested I try the Sensitive Cleansing Wash together with the Soothing Apricot Toner.

I have used these for a month or so now and my skin has improved dramatically. I still get breakouts when I am hormonal but the rest of the time my skin is smooth,soft and mostly blemish free. I enjoy using the wash as I can used it in the same way I did with the Cleanse and Polish with the muslin cloth or if I am in the shower and just wan't to wash my face quickly I can just rinse it off. Using it either way my skin feel so clean and smells amazing!

That is one down point with these products...they smell! They smell delicious but they can be a little over powering. Don't be put off by this if you have sensitive skin though. With me always being sensitive to products I have always stayed away from strong smelling fragrances but in this case it has made no difference to my skin in the slightest.

Moisturising

Night - I still moisturies at night with my Liz Earle Skin Repair moisturiser because my skin drinks it in and i seem to have no problem with it and want to use it up!

Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser Dry/Sensitive 50ml tube @ £18.25 - This perfectly balanced moisturiser softens, smoothes and conditions skin for a naturally healthy glow.

Day - In a morning I always use my Ultrasun SPF 30 Face which is a SPF which only needs applying once a day and a moisturiser in one. I swear by this stuff. It is amazing! It soaks into the skin really well and gives a good base for make up. I use it all through the year as I am super conscious of lines and aging as I am getting older! I think at i hit my 30's I may need to add another moisturiser in the mornings as well as my Ultrasun but for now this is great!

Ultrasun SPF 30 Face 50ml @ £18.00 RRP - Advanced all-in-one skin care and sun protection 
Airless pump dispenser to prevent product deterioration and contamination. Incorporating the very latest skin care research and advances, Face 30 delivers very high, all day protection (UVA 98% Australian Standard and UVB SPF 30) with just one application. 
It contains Ectoin for active DNA and cell protection as well as S.O.D., an enzyme that effectively neutralises skin-damaging free radical activity stimulated by exposure to the sun. Its Boron Nitride (the Science of Softness) reduces fine lines and its formulation reduces the loss of the skin’s own moisture content, so there’s no need to moisturise. 
It is free from oils, emulsifiers and perfume reducing the risk of allergy and making it especially suitable for sensitive skins. Like all Ultrasun products, it is non-staining, non-greasy, water-resistant and easy to use. 

Face Wipes

Yes I do use them! Only to take off most of my make up before cleansing thoroughly.

Hopefully I will continue to have better skin from now on! I hate finding products that suit me. Time and money consuming!

Take care xxx