Products I Used Up | September 2017

Another delved into the pile of beauty trash I amassed over the past months starts with the usual regular appearances of Sure Maximum Protection* and The Wet Brush. Both are staples in my daily routines, although the former may be opted due to a new deodorant I've discovered recently so stay tuned for that in a later post. The Mitchum Deodorant mini is the usual type I have thrown in my bag for freshening up on the go.

I'd love to hear from other Wet Brush users and whether you have to change yours as regular as I do - especially as I don't think I have particularly thick knotty hair to battle. It's probably my only gripe that I do sometimes feel I'm replacing it every month or two but it does give me an opportunity to try out a new colour and there's nothing like a fresh new hairbrush.

Sticking with haircare and shampoo of the dry and regular varieties; Catwalk by TIGI Transforming Dry Shampoo* and John Frieda Sheer Blonde Honey Blonde Colour Illuminating Shampoo*. Both were products that worked as they should and I enjoyed using. You can read full reviews here and here but I suspect any repurchase will be made at John Frieda. As much as I loved the scent of the TIGI Dry Shampoo, I'll still with paying a few pound for the regular offerings.

The cooler temperatures means allowing my hair to air dry isn't so much of an option and it's time to reach for the hairdryer. When I was I powered through TIGI Bed Head Queen Beach Salt Infused Texture Spray* with it's beachy scent and more moisturising offering that left hair less crispy. I would repurchase again, and indeed would for my forthcoming holiday were it not for one or two other bottles lurking around I'd like to use up before the year is out. You can read my original review here.

I've been trying some new skincare items recently so we only say goodbye to Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner* and Lacura Expert Eye Gel. Interestingly and for transparency both these items were ones I loved in it's early stages but later started to find fault and hence there appearance in the basket. In the case of Dermalogica I think I was at fault and had allowed the product to hang around to long in amongst many other skincare products. At first it seemed fine when I reached for it again but the first tell tale sign with any product if the smell seems off it's time to get rid.

The Lacura Expert Eye Gel appeared in my April Favourites I liked it so much in it's early stages but as time went on I found it was a little drying and not quite doing what I wanted. That said a few other gel eye creams I've reached for I've found the same result so think in my older years I need something a little more powerful.

Two products I'm sad to say goodbye to are my Carmex Classic Wild Pot* and Revlon Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Colour in Devotion. Again I'm trying to use up lip balms I have in my collection before buying others but I really am missing Carmex although I'm not a fan of the pot. Stiletto nails do not create the perfect conditions for dipping fingers in but the product was fantastic at keeping lips moisturised.

Revlon's Devotion was my go to lip when I wanted some colour but I wasn't in the mood for the maintenance of a red lip, it also works well whatever the weather. I realised as I was wearing this week that it was becoming less easy to work with and dispense the product so I decided it was time to favour other products. I would repurchase but also as part of my decluttering I'm allowing myself time to discover if indeed I am missing certain products before hitting the repurchase button.

The ever present hand creams that I used up this month were again disappointments. Sorry for this months empties post appearing on the negative side but I guess thats how some months go. Weleda Almond Sensitive Skin Hand Cream* but as with Leighton Denny Best Defence Hand Cream* I found that my hands would not feel so moisturised after I'd applied. They were not dry in the same way as when they come out of water but I still find it was my usual experience.

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Products I Used Up | May 2017

May I continued to make headway with my mission to use up products I own but it's always sad to see Chanel in an empties post - and costly if I'm going to repurchase!

First is Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Twist & Spray travel set, the final bottle since recently appearing in my April favourites. A classic signature scent that I would typically repurchasing but for now I'll be enjoying my new Summer scents and other perfumes in my collection and I'll save the repurchase for later in the year when I hit Duty Free - now if there was ever a mission to declutter that perfume collection.

Once again another 'holy grail' and favourite product, Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder which due to broken packaging, not reaching for so often of late and it being the 'final dregs' I decided to say goodbye. I'm certain this will be a product I'll repurchase but for now I want to try and use and test alternative products I own before I do so. I'm not back at work and this was previously a handbag staple so I'm keen to see if it's absence becomes something I need to replace urgently.

Regular staples and repurchases come in the form of Sure Maximum Protection Deodorant* and an evening bubble bath. This month I'd tried Imperial Leather Relaxing Sleep Bubble Bath and unfortunately wasn't a fan. A strange gripe was that I found it 'dolloped' into the bath rather than poured out of the bottle. I don't know why this bothered me but it did. I also found it didn't create as many bubbles as I usually find with my Radox. For now I'm enjoying This Works Deep Sleep Bath Salts.

Two hand cream minis, L'Occitane Vitoria Regia and Liz Earle Orange Flower Hand Repair both of which were enjoyable but nothing I'm rushing to repurchase. I found the L'Occtane a thinner formula than Liz Earle but the latter was a perfect mini size for travel or in your handbag.

I always enjoy when I find make up appearing in my empties, and more so at the moment as I continue my declutter. With a brand new Clarins Bronzing Duo sitting untouched in my drawer it was madness I was clinging to this older version to avoid wasting.  I've spoke of the Clarins Bronzing Duo often and remembered how much I loved it back in March this year and it'll be nice to make a dent in a fresh one.

Another product that I dread to think how old it is (but I know my Mac lipstick collection moved from my parents to my flat over 7 years ago!) is Mac Cremesheen Lipstick in Hot Gossip. I'm quite impressed that I obviously loved this product enough to have almost used it up but somewhere along the line it had become too hot and was broke and in a right old state so I've added it to a pile of products I have to 'Back to Mac'. For fans of Syrup lipstick from Mac you might like this shade. It's lovely for this time of year.

Wet n Wild Ultimate Brow Mascara is your typical product of it's type which I enjoyed using. I have since repurchased L'Oreal Brow Artist Plumper which is not dissimilar although as a slightly smaller wand to work with. With Wet n Wild not readily available on the high street it's not something I'd need to hunt out but I might throw one into my basket when I'm next in the US.

The Portuguese toothpaste, Pasta Medicinal Couto was one I used for travel and in later weeks everyday to use up and it's not for me. If you're a fan of the traditional toothpastes that taste more like bicarbonate of soda them you may favour this. The tube was also a nightmare to squeeze from.

Peel of masks have been one of the latest trends and a source of great amusement of late and even my friend tagged me in one on Facebook but I'm pleased to say that Superdrug Black Seaweed Peel Off Mask* isn't one of the pain inducing ones. If you are one of those people who was a fan of painting your hands with glue to peel off then pick up one of these affordable masks from Superdrug at just 99p.

Containing Seaweed and Sea Buckthorn which will cleanse and detox the skin I didn't find this harsh at all and skin looked fresh and cleansed. I kept on for approx 15 mins and some of the thicker parts were still a little wet and had to be washed rather than peeled off but I appreciated that it was less messy than clay masks so can certainly see the appeal.

Skincare products used up recently including ALGENIST Genius Ultimate Anti-Ageing Cream* after using in Center Parcs and my previous years holidays. As I've said in previous features it's a mousse like texture which is step up from a thinner lotion but not as thick as heavier creams. It's a high end brand so perhaps a little more than I'd like to spend but never say never.

The Hero Project is a brand I only discovered last month and the Hyasoft Instant Moisture Boost* was my least favoured of the products. It's a gel like product, similar to Pixi's H20 Skindrink Hydration Gel which I prefer.

Dermalogica is a brand I feature regularly and their Intensive Eye Repair* is a great eye product I enjoyed using and as you will hear me talking often in my reviews of late I do feel that I have seen a significant improvement in my fine lines around my eyes and dark circles resulting in my concealers applying far better than ever without any creasing to speak of thanks to my under eyes being so hydrated.

It may be surprising that the only purchases I made from Sephora when I visited Las Vegas last year were from the Sephora mask range. I'm not yet fully on the sheet mask band wagon although we did enjoy one or two in St Lucia and I do appreciate them for ease.

The Sephora Collection Eye Mask, Pomegranate and Sleeping Mask are the ones I used prior to my first day back to work and both were pleasant to use. The pomegranate masks are to 'awaken and tone the skin' and reduce the signs of fatigue so it's something I picked as I was typically in the 'always tired' camp through lack of sleep.

I used some DHC eye masks during my trip to St Lucia and they were amazing, they are scheduled for review and whilst the Sephora versions were nice enough for their price they felt inferior to the DHC offering. They felt very thin yet evident on the skin and not quite the 'right fit'. As I say these are only niggles and wouldn't stop me using nor repurchasing but not quite a must have.

The Sleeping Mask was very interesting. It's size makes it great for travel and I was able to get two uses out of this capsule. It was somewhat like applying jelly to my face and I was particularly surprised how cooling it felt on the skin so I imagine it would be a lovely product in the current weather we're experiencing in the UK.

Another sad addition to my empties bag this month was What Skin Needs Hydrating Facial Serum* which is a saviour for tired, dehydrated or dry skin. I was introduced to the brand via PR and it's one I will repurchase in the future most certainly. You can read more about my usage here and I won't say much more because I just might have a little giveaway featuring this product very soon.

Maybe it's my age but I'm just not jumping on the full lip bandwagon so I was less inclined to be overly impressed with Transformulas Lip Volume* than others but I can't denying, whether that placebo effect or not as I added a swipe in the mornings by way of my skincare regime I did feel like my lips look plumper.

I used the This Works Energy Bank Skin Glow* as part of my Holiday Skincare Regime and continued using on my return. Interestingly it reminds me of my current serum from B. which I talked about in my New In Skincare post. This Works offers hydration but is a light formula so was perfect for the Carribean climate and would suit the current one in the UK right - the last thing I'm keen to do is pile too many oils and heavy serums onto my face. I'm also a fan of the pump dispensers. I'm currently experiencing a rage against pipettes which I find one a product gets halfway used they seem to stop picking up an product so instead I'm pouring onto my hand.

I am laughing to myself as a I have read the blurb on A-Derma Exomega Cleansing Oil* reading to link and have had the realisation that this cleansing oil is for the body not the skin which is how I was using it.  What is a shower product for eczema-prone skin I am able to tell you was amazing as a cleansing oil on my face so you could argue it does double duty. Perhaps not my smartest move and it'll teach me to read up about a product before I pile onto my face although it's a shame as I really enjoyed using this product.

Finally is a travel size of Colab Extreme Volume Dry Shampoo*  a product I will certain repurchase in it's mini form as I love to have a supply of this in my handbag of desk at work to give myself a little volume throughout the day. I have talked about Colab many times if you'd like to read more.

There ends my bumper post of empties throughout May; what products did you use up this month?

*this post contains press sample and / or affiliate links

Blemish Busting

You may remember last year there was much hype in the beauty community when NikkieTutorials hailed Nivea Post Shave Balm as an amazing budget make up primer. There followed many rave reviews for this product, typically found in men's bathrooms, which was somewhat baffling as it's price was simply comparative to other high street primers but us beauty bloggers do love a bandwagon.

When I stumbled across a bottle in my friends bathroom I asked if I could pinch it and test out 'for the blog' and put to the test this week. If you saw my Instagram post you will know I found it quite underwhelming and worse, it broke me out, which as someone who can usually throw most things at my skin and not experience any adverse effects the Nivea Post Shave Balm received a thumbs down from me.

Today's post is to share how I managed to tackle and get rid of my outbreak in a matter of days but a few additional comments on the Nivea Post Shave Balm as a primer. If you do not like scented products, especially those of a masculine ilk then you will not like this. I actually like the scent and found it dissipated very quickly although I know others comment it lasts longer than they would like.

I found it made my skin shiny and not in a 'healthy and dewy' manner. I could argue that the time of year was not great to put to the test but interestingly other testers say how much it would dry their skins out, something I wish I'd experienced as it certainly did not create any mattifyed effect on my skin. And oh my, my pores were never so clear for all to see. I even tried with my Lottie London Pore Eraser to see if that worked but I just found it pilled on the skin. And how did my make up fair on top of the Nivea Post Shave Balm? I've never seen my foundation separate to such a degree and so quickly as when I had used this. If it needs saying, this product is a no from me.

Moving onto the side effects and break outs that appeared. As I was currently in the midst of using a regular skincare regime and make up products, with the exception of my primer I could only place the blame at Nivea's door.

Thankfully two products that had been added to my regime were Good Things Stay Clear Purifying Cleanser*, ironically a product I only reviewed last week saying break outs were not something I had to worry about. Thankfully having this in my regime to cleanse my skin in the morning and evening allowed my skin to be treated gently when I was conscious of stripping back products and not overloading an already aggravated area. The second was La Roche Posay Serozinc*, another cult product but in this instance one that I can understand. Serozinc is part of the Effaclar which is designed to target oily, blemish prone skin which I needed to tackle. It's also a wonderful toner for oily skins, even those that are marginally so during the Summer and it works far better to mattify the skin.

Finally was Dermalogica Charcoal Masque* a product that was in the forefront of my mind as I am making it my mission to apply face masks more often, if only due to the ridiculous collection I have at my disposal.

Dermalogica Charcoal Masque, as with all masks of this nature, is to draw our excess oil and impurities and calm redness, all things my skin was in need of after experiencing the 'beauty blogger side effects' of testing out new products. Charcoal and clay masks can be found very cheaply and the Dermalogica offering is certainly not budget friendly but compared to other masks of it's nature it is a little more sophisticated and is one of the least messy masks of it's type I've used.

I'm pleased to say having these products in my routine during this break out changed my skins appearance in 24 hours and in 48 hours there was little evidence of any trouble.

What do you use when you have an unexpected break out?

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Products I Used Up | February 2017

So it's not just monthly favourites that are back to Florence and Mary but here I am with a monthly empties post. This is just a small edit of the products that have made their way into the empties pile but they are the ones that I have used this month and at some point I will catch up with the backlog as it's not lost on me that I'm hoarding bags full of beauty trash which I'm not quite sure 'spark joy'.

First is L'Oreal Revitalift Bright Reveal which my friend over in the US brought over for me on her last visit as apparently they cannot be sent by post. As she said 'what is in these'? I enjoy using exfoliating pads and of course being a US exclusive it made these more desirable but I have to say they were nothing special. With so many great versions, at all price points available in the UK and even those under £5 I featured on Monday which are as good by comparison this is not something I'd seek out again as a must have.

Two moisturisers that have been used up this month are DHC Beauty Lift Cream* and SKINeffects Active Day Face Cream* which have seen to different needs and meet different price points. I first tried the DHC Beauty Lift range* last Summer and I'm currently trying to work my way through using up lots of half used products and the Beauty Lift Cream was my moisturiser of choice recently. I referenced in my original post that this was too rich for daily use at the time but during the colder months when skin tended to be drier I found it was the right formula for tackling my skins needs. This is a pricey moisturiser at around the £50 mark which I'd be anxious at repurchasing but if you have the cash to splash it's filled with wonderful ingredients to fight those fine lines and feels wonderful on the skin.

SKINeffects Active Day Face Cream* by comparison is only £7.99 and available exclusively from Lloyds Pharmacy.  I receive a lot of traffic for this being hailed as a dupe for Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Cream due to it's thick consistency. I have had this pot in my dish by my sofa to reach for and tackle the dry patches I find behind my ears which can be quite sore. I slather a layer of this on and it does the trick. Whilst my skin is always dryer during the Winter months it's not as dry as has been in recent years thanks to some wonderful heavy duty serums and oils I've been using so as a moisturiser for the face its too heavy for me but for those persistent dry patches it's a godsend and one I reach for to tackle my red nose if I'm suffering a cold and have spent too long blowing it.

Two products that have found there way to today's post hand in hand are the Sephora Rose Eye Mask and Urban Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara.  The latter has been discontinued and they may give a nod to both this mascara's age and warn me of the dangers of trying to work through and declutter ones make up stash.

I've noticed on odd occasion this month that my eyes have been a little sensitive and sore which I mentioned in last weeks favourites was being helped by an eye gel. On one particular evening when I knew I had used this Urban Decay mascara and they really were causing me some discomfort I picked up my Sephora eye mask and soothed the area. These masks are affordable and great fun and probably the only product I wish Sephora was coming to the UK for. I have a few more from the range in my skincare draws so I will be trying some more out.

As for the mascara I can't say definitively it was at fault but I wasn't prepared to chance it again and as it's no longer available it seems foolish to work with something that I can never track down again. With it's curved brush which you can find from other brands and nothing amazing me on it's use it's time to say goodbye.

It was also bye bye to Dermalogica Hydrablur Primer* which has received a lot of coverage on these pages. Repeating what I've said in every post this is again a lovely primer and really does work to smooth out the skin and ready it for foundation application but is at a high price point that . In comparison to DHC Primer which I talked about in my monthly favourites this is definitely a thicker formula so depending on your priming needs I'll allow you to make your choices with what to spend and what you need.

As a blogger I should be allowed to come up with the perfect justification to buy any beauty product claiming it's 'research' or 'for the good of the blog'. The only problem with that is I only have one face and I'd rather use the products I'm lucky enough to be sent and provide thorough reviews on those products than chopping and changing more than necessary. That said there is something of a eureka moment when I find that I no longer have a particular product in my stash and can hit Boots and try out something new. In this instance it was only a deodorant but let's be thankful for the little things. It's well documented I favour Sure Maximum Protection and has ceased featuring in my empties as it was getting a little repetitive and instead sharing on Instagram but I wondered if I was indeed in a rut and decided to pick up Mitchum Gel Deodorant to compare.

Let's say sometimes you're not in a rut and simply know what product works for you. Whilst I used this completely as it wasn't dreadful and I'm spending more time on the sofa than running around an office of late it won't be something I repurchase and I will be returning to Sure forthwith. Firstly I would turn the dial to release the gel but it would almost pour out wasting a lot of product each time. I would also find that it was very wet under the arms leaving me doing a chicken dance before I could dress. That said the wetness would always feel ever present. Interestingly I discovered I tried the solid version of Mitchum and it was a fail so I think it's safe this is not a product that works for me.

Finally is a product that makes me weep with sadness that it is here, Jo Malone Bath Oil in Pomegranate Noir. My friend introduced me to Jo Malone many years ago and I still shed a tear that my cleaner broke the stopper on my glass bottle which I'd been refilling from the plastic packaging. This has been a repeatedly purchased product and one I love to use. The scent fills my bathroom and I just love the smell that floats around my home. My only complaint and wondering with Jo Malone is why they do not have a version with bubbles. There's something about climbing into a bath filled with bubbles and whilst the scent of this makes up for the lack of I do miss it. I'll definitely repurchase but think I might save as a treat for duty free or a reward when I finally find a new job.

What products have you used up recently?

*this post contains press samples and / or affiliate links

Thirty Plus Skincare | Hits & Misses

Over the course of recent months I've amassed a routine of products that help the more mature amongst us with varying results to talk about today starting with a gift from the Egyptian Gods, L'Or Des Pharaons Face and Body Mist*.

I received this right about the time I was enjoying the ITV TV series Tutankhamun so it was very apt especially as this mist contains 'nanoclusters of gold' and gold was very popular in Ancient Egypt due to masks made to preserve and rejuvenate the skin. Apparently Cleopatra is said to have slept in a mask made of pure gold, hence her radiant complexion so if it was good enough to Cleopatra.

So L'Or Des Pharaons Face and Body Mist is a 3-in-1 purified and revitalised water, containing the aforementioned nanoclusters of gold, as well as platinum and zinc. The mist will combat the visible signs of ageing by revitalising cells, zinc will combat oil control and the platinum will tone, firm and regenerate.

Doesn't that all sound fabulous? This 15ml bottle is £40 so I would expect many wonders and see an Egyptian Goddess looking back at me in the mirror. Sadly whilst this is a nice mist I didn't really feel or notice anything particularly significant in terms of anti-ageing, certainly for the price.

Two products I did love were for the eyes, the windows of our soles, and in the instance of My Perfect Eyes* surprisingly so and Dermalogica AGE Smart Age Reversal Eye Complex* which never fails to tick the box for my skin.

My Perfect Eye's seems too good to be true, a non-surgical eye bag treatment which temporarily reduces the effects of ageing but it really works and I've been telling everyone about this £30 miracle and I'm kicking myself that I didn't try it sooner. It was actually falling asleep in front of the tv one night and waking up to an infomercial featuring My Perfect Eyes that actually prompted me to take the plunge and try it. Of course we're all used to seeing various advertisements and wondering if the claims are true but I have the product at my disposal to see for myself.

The first time I applied the product at home to one to compare and was shocked when I looked in the mirror and saw the difference. I love a product that provides instant gratification. Now it's a product that I will apply for any occasion when I want to erase the fine lines around my eyes.

So how does My Perfect Eyes work? The light formula dries to form a fine and transparent film under the eye which compresses and covers any wrinkles, bags or puffiness. You do feel a tightening sensation as the product creates it's film and it does feel a little strange but it's not uncomfortable and dissipates quickly. I do get the tingling or fluttering at occasion throughout the day but I'm sure that's because I keep touching the area because I can't believe what I'm seeing. I applied around 10am and when I last looked on the occasion I was keeping tabs at 6pm it was still doing it's job so it'll certainly work for long days in the office or nights out.

It's easily applied, just remember to wait for it to dry before applying make up on top and avoid any moisturiser in the area and a little really does go a long way. If you are tempted to buy one product from today's post make it this one and see for yourself.

Your more traditional eye product is from Dermalogica, and whilst I'm not sure it reverses the signs of ages it is definitely slowing them down. Containing retinol you are advised to apply on alternative nights for a couple of weeks to build up your tolerance levels and then you're good to apply nightly as part of your routine. I'm always conscious to not apply too much eye cream to the area and a little of this goes a long way and in the months I've been using this despite suffering jetlag, Christmas celebrations, too much sleep to not enough I'm pleased to report my eyes are not showing any signs of sleepless nights. Again this is another costly option at the £50 mark but I have been using for approximately five months now so it's definitely cost effective.

Proto-Col Moisturising Facial Gel* is known as being an award winner amongst men's grooming although it of course can be used by anyone with a face. Its a shame they advertise this product as being available in a choice of 50ml packaging, being a 'manly' silver pump for the men and a 'delicate 'and luxurious glass jar for us ladies rather than simply 'choose from these two options' but perhaps there are men that would not want to reach for a moisuriser in a glass jar?

Moving on from such issues this is a fairly priced and good moisturiser which I used for a number of weeks before passing onto my brother to get his thoughts. It's a very light moisturiser of gel consistency as the name suggests which 'suits all skin types' and can be used 'day or night'. Of course I imagine from the simple 'instructions' and 'claims' they are again marketing the male market who apparently don't want anything more thank slapping some cream on their face.

For my skin I would find this better in the Summer months as it felt a little too light for Winter use but it applied nicely and make up would sit comfortably after applying. As for my brother's thoughts, he has no complaints. It's always a little difficult to get a thorough commentary out of him on such products but he has been using, has had no irritation or break outs as a result and something he's happy using.

Finally is the No Bleeding Lips Lip Liner* from Know Cosmetics, a brand from the US finally on our shores and found in Superdrug. Apparently one No Bleeding Lips Lip Liner is sold ever 2 minutes so I'm surprised that I'd never came across it nor spotted on blogs until it's UK release.

It's simply a clear lip liner but also doubles as a filler or sorts which creates an invisible line around the lips and stops your favourite lipstick bleeding and feathering. Despite being a smoker I'm quite lucky with the lines around my mouth so I passed it on to my mum who both enjoys a liner and does suffer from lipsticks bleeding.

I had forgotten I'd passed it over before Christmas until she mentioned in passing how much she was enjoying it and how good it was. As well as being able to wear her favourite bright orange shades of red over the festive season she is pleased that this lip liner doesn't require sharpening and is a twist design - be warned twist too far and you'll be unable to wind back. I'm a little jealous now I gave this to mum and might have to pick one up for myself.

*this post contains press samples and /or affiliate links

Inside my Center Parcs Make Up Bag

If you have read my review of Center Parcs Elveden Forest you might rightly assume the need for a fully stock make up bag wasn't necessary. That said a skincare regime is always in place and the knowledge that there would be one or two selfies take in the beautiful surroundings one needs to ensure make up is in place so I thought I'd share with you today which made the cut - including a mini Dyson hairdryer review thanks to borrowing my friends over the weekend. 

Starting with the skincare and I took along the DHC Cleansing Oil* and Mild Soap* both of which came in the DHC Bento Box for am and pm cleansing duties. As I said in my initial review it's the Mild Soap which I favour and enjoy using most although the Cleansing Oil is needed for mascara and make up removal, especially in this instance where I didn't take along extra micellar waters or eye make up removes. 

For toner or facial spritzing was the Monuspa Rosewood Reviving Mist* which has now reached the end of its life having lived in my make up bag for some time and used as a refresher after a day at work (yes, yes, which was a couple of months ago now!) followed by serum.

Serums are often the product I forgo for a one or two night stay as I don't have many in travel size or their standard bottles can be glass, bulky and not suitable for travelling, that is apart from Nip+Fab Viper Venom Frown Fix* which is perfect to be slipped into a make up bag and is quite easily brushed onto skins. Containing ingredients to 'freeze' expression lines and wrinkles. How well it goes to 'freeze' them I wouldn't like to say but they can appear less noticeable and the hylauronic acid is great for hydrating after the booze consumed during our evenings. 

The InstaNatural Eye Gel*, a product received for Amazon review purposes is a nice hydrating eye cream which I'm a little indifferent about at the moment and perhaps as it's my eyes that are the area I like to pay most attention to I need something with a little much punch. That said it does keep the eye area hydrated, isn't drying and make up applies on top. It's gel nature would make it a great product for those who suffer sensitive eyes, especially in the Summer. 

I settled for using the ALGENIST Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream* as both a day and night cream. It's a lovely cream that is quite mousse like in texture which I enjoyed. As often with skincare travel sizes beyond texture and initial application I cannot tell you much about it's various properties and claims but it was certainly a nice product to use for my trip.

This is about as 'capsule' as I get with my make up and you will spot some of my 2016 Favourites making a reappearing, starting with primer and setting from Dermalogica and Mac. If you're looking for a non silicone primer and price isn't a factor the Dermalogica Hydrablur Primer* is a good place to start. I'm nearing the end of my tube so it's the product I continue to reach for. Mac Prep + Prim Fix+ remains a go to product, and whilst I haven't published any monthly favourites recently this would have been the one making multiple appears if I were. 

The base was covered by L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation and Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer and an application method from Primark. I picked up the Primark Beauty Blender dupes on a recent shopping trip in full and mini sizes thinking for a few pound I could give them a go, and even if not great I could make them work between Beauty Blender cleaning days. The smaller sizes are amazing for concealer and if you buy one or the other gets these although the full size is still worth the few pounds and I'm finding it's a major contender and working well for application.

I have something of a love/hate relationship with the L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation and took that along to try and form a decision. Its pretty obvious that with the matte version being a top favourite that a version giving some glow would not be and that is where my love falters. Coverage is flawless as one would expect but I'm just not a fan of the all over dewy look but if you have dry skin or indeed favour the glow then try this out. That said it's a US only product so difficult to get hold of for us in the UK.

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer was thrown into the bag along with a recent favourite Wet n Wild MegaGlo All-In-One Highlighting Stick in Light Up My High-Biscus which is such an easy swipe, blend and go product. It gives a pink flush to the cheeks which is perfect paired with a red lip, which indeed was my choice for Center Parcs. Another product I was trying to decide on, and I'm sad to say has made it into the 'products that don't work for me' pile was Maybelline Master Strobing Stick in Nude Glow. As I said in my initial post featuring the Strobing Stick I talked about not knowing how to use this especially when more often than not reaching for a powder blush. As in this instance I was using cream blush I thought I'd give it a try. Is it a 'nice' product? Yes but sadly not one for me. With a preference for powder products and an abundance of highlighters in powder form I know I do not love this enough to reach for it so it'll be passed on to the pile to share with friends and family. 

I usually forgo eye make up and rely on my red lip when in a 'relaxed state' but I still threw in my handy Chanel Eyeshadow Palette in case I wanted a little something to pair with my new DHC Gel Eyeliner Pencil*. I'm in no way skilled with eyeliner, my lids don't lend themselves well to a wing even if I were adept at doing so but I still like to have some liner and often use a powder and angle brush for definition but I wanted to give this a try and I've found it's a far easier product for on the go. and perfect for tight lining. When in a hurry I find myself reaching for this as it's easier to line and go with ease.

Brows are filled in quickly with the Wet n Wild Ultimate Brow Mascara, the brush of which is the right size for my thick brows and enough product is added to the brow without overloading and lashes from By Terry Terrybly Growth Booster Mascara* which I forgot to photograph but you can find on Instagram. This is a lovely mascara from brush, to application and finish but the price tag is just a little too much for me to justify spending. Of course it's 'futuristic serum mascara' which explains the price tag and if you have the money to spare I'd say go for it. The red lip was care of Maybelline Color Jolt/Lip Paint, I'm sure you recognising the pattern, a quick and easy to apply product.

Finally a mini review of the Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer which I was able to try out care of my friend Lavinia who picked this up on a recent shopping trip. The Dyson Hairdryer was doing the blogger rounds last year and received rave reviews despite a whopping £300 price tag. Yes for a hairdryer. Now I have a Dyson vacuum which I'm sure I paid a tidy sum for and can vouch it is still going some four or five years later, but £300 for a hairdryer. Really?

My friend Lavinia purchased this as she has gorgeous, long, thick hair that makes me green with envy takes some time to dry and with a little one to take care of she needed some help which indeed the Dyson has provided. I have short hair and not a lot of it so drying my hair is quick to do, and something Lavinia is envious of so we're never happy are we, and in the Summer I can easily wash and go without even have to worry as I know that by the time I reach the office my hair will be dry but that didn't stop me wanting to try out the Dyson.

My first impression is I don't particularly like the style and it feels very alien to hold after so many years of your traditional style of hairdryer but it is ideal for travelling and so so light to hold. I switched on and I was, pardon the pun, blown away by how quickly this dried my hair. I wasn't doing anything spectacular, nor attempting styling just simply head tipped over and a blast from the Dyson. In a matter of minutes my hair was dry. Unlike other hairdryers which I find can become too hot or you indeed have to blast up the heat to dry hair quickly the temperature from the Dyson Hairdryer was comfortable and the air was certainly distributed differently and less 'blasting' than I'm used to. Would I like a Dyson Hairdryer? Yes most definitely and if I had a spare £300 laying around I would pick one up immediately. For me is it worth the price tag, not really but it's definitely something I would like to think about treating myself in the future - it could take a while but maybe it's something to save those Boots Advantage Card points up for.

Have you tried or been tempted by the Dyson Hair Dryer?

*this post contains press sample and / or affiliate links

2016 Favourite Favourites | Part 1

Happy New Year! I appreciate we're halfway through January so missed the boat on such greetings but as this is my first post of 2017 I think I can be forgiven - let me tell you if you think returning to work after the holidays is a struggle its even harder to become motivated when you don't have a job!

Like my opening greeting I may well also be late posting my 2016 Favourites and as such you are somewhat bored with them but as Favourites posts are those I enjoy writing, particularly when I need to get back into the swing of things here they are.

I am only focusing on make up for my 2016 Favourites as I have found products that I have loved throughout the year, am still reaching for and are those that I can reach for without thinking when I want to put my face on in a hurry. With skincare and other such products I hold my hands up and say I'm something of a floozy, not particularly brand loyal and through the nature of beauty blogging am lucky to have a lot of skincare come through my door for testing that whilst I can could pinpoint 'favourites' there is nothing that I stopped myself from moving onto the next product through my door.

Enough of my ramblings lets start with Dermalogica Hydra Blur Primer* which first made an impact appearing in my February Favourites and has been my go to primer throughout the year. Prior to this introduction I was reaching for Benefit Porefessional which is hit and miss depending on whether you're a fan of silicone primers. Dermalogica Hydra Blur Primer has a similar yet less silicone feel to its application and will offer moisturisation to your skin rather drying it out as some primers are prone to. During Winter when my skin is dryer this has been the right product to create the perfect base for my foundations. As I mentioned in its initial review my only complaint is the price tag which would prevent my repurchasing in the immediate future. 

I would hand over every foundation I own to keep L'Oreal Infallible Matte Foundation, the US version, as it really has been my stand out product of 2016. My friend Rose, who resides in the USA, gave this to me in place of the L'Oreal Infallible Glow Foundation I'd asked for that she couldn't find and I'm so glad she did. I have reached for this foundation on so many occasions, taken on holiday and without a doubt whenever I've admired my flawless appearance in selfies it's been when I've worn this foundation. My current tube was showing signs of finishing soon and I was starting to panic, not a feeling I often have usually happy to skip onto the next product. I was also concerned that I'd read posts from Emmys Beauty Cave about how the UK version just didn't compare. Luckily a friend headed to the US over Christmas and was instructed to buy a back up for me so I will not run out any time soon.

As for my reasons for such declarations of love, this is a foundation that will give you a medium coverage that will last all day and from what I see the finish is flawless. My other August Favourite that I pair with this foundation is the Primark PS Pro Oval Brushes, such was my love I brought the Rose Gold set before Christmas. I've found I'm reaching for these and my Beauty Blender over any other foundation brushes in my collection. 

Final base favourites is a duo you'll always find in my handbag, Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder and the Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder is a beautiful product inside and out. Whether I'm setting my concealer for a full face of make up or in a pinch using only the powder and aforementioned concealer I feel more alive. I'm always conscious of finding a concealer that doesn't crease under my 30+ eyes and Bourjois Radiance Reveal does not. When I initially reviewed I wasn't so sure but that was simply due to lack of eye cream so I do find I need to ensure my eye area isn't dry before application but it made such an impact last year that it appeared in April and May's favourites posts. 

Bronzing and contouring is definitely not something I'd call myself skilled at but two product that help me look like I have something of an idea are the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation Stick in the Shade 330 Toffee Caramel and Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer. Since rediscovering and appearing in my February Favourites I've found the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation Stick to be a firm staple in my make up. Hailed as a dupe for the Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick (I find that to be a less greasy formula) I picked this up in its darker shade in the US and find it makes contouring a breeze. It also pairs wonderfully with one of the Primark brushes I've already mentioned. I don't reach for this on a daily basis as who has time for that but when I'm giving myself a 'serious' full face this is a given and so easy to use.

You may be surprised to find the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer in my 2016 Favourites as when I first purchased it I was most underwhelmed. Firstly I hated, and still do hate the scent which months later hasn't waned although it's not something that I notice unless, as I did just now, stick my nose into it. 

The Glow-Booster from Physicians Formula was my favourite bronzer prior to this purchase but interestingly over recent months I've bypassed that and instead reached for the Butter Bronzer so much so that it came on my holidays and to date I am still using. 

As I talked about in my initial review one of my gripes was that it is a subtle bronzer and only available in the one shade. Paler skin tones will surely love this and perhaps my love for it has stemmed from just looking for a dusting of warmth and glow during the Winter months than too much bronzing. You can purchase in the UK from The Vitamin Shop and I'm currently waiting to see if the Butter Blushes hit the site as I'm keen to try them out. 

Like the L'Oreal Infallible Matte Foundation the Make Up Revolution Rose Gold Lights Blush would be the blusher I saved in a fire. I love love love this and have recommended to everyone and anyone insisting they need it in their collections. Technically referred to as a highlighter this is perfect for me as a blush which I don't have to worry about layering with another product. It's literally sweep and go and looks fantastic whatever make up look you're going for. For £3 this is positively a steal and despite my frequent use it looks like I've barely touched it.

Highlighters are something I'm still finding my way with. My favourite highlighter has to be Charlotte Tibury's Bar of Gold which usually only makes an appearance in stores seasonly, I joined the Becca Champagne Pop bandwagon and am still undecided how I feel about it and others have come and gone throughout the year but one that has been reached for often is Wet n Wild Boozy Brunch, or in my case its original incantation, Hollywood Lights. Interestingly Boozy Brunch has been hailed a dupe for Champagne Pop but I certainly prefer this golden highlight which is more in keeping with my favoured Bar of Gold.

This was another gift from my friend Rose and it sat for some time in the draw as I was a little scared of using it but now nothing can stop me. Again this is a product, albeit only available in the US, that is only $5.99 for a whopping 11g of product. Admittedly the side does make it somewhat cumbersome to travel with but I can forgive that for the highlight it gives to my cheeks.

Well if you made it this far well done and needless to say my musings have required this post to be in two parts so come back tomorrow for my favourite eye and lip products from 2016. Don't forget to let me know what your favourite products have been.

*this post contains press samples and / or affiliate links

Christmas Gifts for your teens

Whilst I can always think of some beauty essential to add to my Christmas list as a beauty blogger and with an abundance of products already at my disposal I do miss my younger days when there would be an array of beauty gifts I'd be wishing for and sitting with the Boots catalogue circling products I neeeeeded.

I've rounded up a selection of beauty favourites that have come my way during the festive season which might be ideal for any of the younger ladies on your Christmas list, starting with the Magnitone which in fact you don't need to be a teen to enjoy. The Magnitone Precious Collection* is perfect for the holiday season in its jewel tones, in my case I have the Glitter Gold version. Cleansing brushes garner mixed opinions but despite being cautious when I first tried the Magnitone out in the Summer I'm really enjoying it. The Magnitone range is more affordable than many options and if you're looking to encourage a cleansing routine this is a good place to start.

There were worries that a cleansing brush such as the Magnitone would be too harsh, the horror of purging but I find it simply gives me skin a thorough clean and is no less abrasive than using a flannel. I use mine a couple of times a week, especially finding it useful on days when I've been lax in my usual routine and skin needs some extra attention.

Sticking with the skincare, Dermalogica is a brand I've used a lot during 2016 and the Dermalogica Clear Start* kit is great for those with oily and acne prone skins. A festively packaged set of three products that calm and rebalance the skin leaving it clear and refreshed.

A Cleansing Wash, a moisturiser for day and an overnight formula to go to work on a congested complexion in decent 15ml sizes that will allow you to try before you commit to larger sized products.

If in doubt make up can always be a hit Studio London* at Superdrug has many products in their range and I love the set of three sparkly nail varnish which can be worn alone or over the top of your existing nail colour ready for Christmas Day or planning ahead to your New Years Eve celebrations.

A sure fire hit with an hit is a product from on of our more famous YouTubers and the Tanya Burr 'It's Kissmas' Lip Gloss Duo* is already en route to the US to be opened by a special younger lady I know.

I love my Beauty Blender but it's not the most affordable option so I was intrigued to see how the Flutter Make Up Sponge* for only £1 would fair. Ok it's no comparison, it's certainly firmer than the beauty blender and is smaller in size but it works and it's been performing adequately when the former needs cleaning. This is a great stocking filler, especially with its cute packaging.

My final offering is Tribe Eau De Toilette* which if you're in your thirties like I am may remember, especially as they were sponsors of one of Take That's tours 'back in the day'. I was a regular wearer of this scent in my teens and I was transported straight back when I received a bottle of the scent making a comeback. If you want to share some memories with one of your younger charges this is a lovely gift to evoke some nostalgia.

What is on your teens wishlist this year?

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Book Your Lifestyle for Christmas

There is nothing more I hate than booking appointments for beauty treatments by phone which is why I was more than happy to test and review the newest online booking site Book Your Lifestyle* and see whether they met my 'high' standards.

You can start searching by location or treatment; perhaps you've been looking to try a Brazilian Blow Dry for some time or simply need to fit in a manicure between meetings and need to find somewhere nearby then Book Your Lifestyle will have options for you. I think this would be so helpful as I've attended weddings and decided I want a blow dry and I'm hunting for a reputable salon or simply one with an available appointment. With Christmas Party Season and the chance you're upping the ante with your beauty treatments and often away from home, Book Your Lifestyle can be an invaluable tool in ensuring you're disco ready.

The booking system is so easy to use and it's perfect for night owls like me who often decide to tick things off the to do list way after a salons business hours. Once you have selected your treatment at your chosen salon hit book and you'll be taken to a screen showing all the available appointment dates and times available. This was fantastic for me as I was running through the process unsure of what date would work best for me so I was able to skip through options available and chose the best one for me without back and forth in conversation with someone over the phone.

Payments are required at booking which I liked, there can be nothing more frustrating at the end of a treatment, especially if it's a relaxing one. So the booking of my appointment was simple but how was my treatment itself?

Having received emails and texts confirming my appointment at booking I was slightly surprised that there was no further confirmations or reminder. I appreciate this is slight niggle but it did cross my mind by way of a worry when I was en route, what if it has been cancelled or something went wrong. I can confirm that my fears were unjustified when I arrived at Cucumba a few minutes walk from London's Liberty's.

Cucumba calls itself 'the urban pitstop' and it definitely is not your swanky or luxurious type of salon. The decor is nice but does meet the urban name in shades of cream and green and the treatment 'rooms', which are downstairs, are in fact only tables separated by curtains. This is slightly problematic as I could hear the conversation in the treatment room next door and even heard someone enjoying their lunch break from the microwave cooking the meal to the cutlery clattering on the plate and then being washed up. If you were looking to forget the world during your treatment and are sensitive to the slightest noise this might be an issue.

I didn't find entertain the salon was the warmest of welcomes. A therapist looked up from her nail treatment and told me to simply take a seat and my biggest pet peeve was later when time for my appointment arrived and two therapist stood a couple of feet away discussing 'me' and whether my therapist was ready and should I have been taken down for my treatment.

Thankfully Julie, my therapist was lovely. She was very warm, chatty and called me 'my dear' throughout my treatment which was a 90 minute Prescriptive Dermalogica Facial with extraction* for an eye watering £99. I choose this treatment for a number of reasons; I'm not a fan of your traditional facial which I find boring and little I can achieve myself at home, would a £99 facial be worth the money and as a regular user of Dermalogica products I was keen to see how their in house treatments would fair.

After Julie had introduced herself I was told to remove my clothes and climb under the bed - please tell me I'm not alone in finding this moment the worse of any beauty treatment. Have I removed enough, too much, will the therapist walk in mid unrobing and then that excruciating time you're just laying on the bed waiting for them to return.

My first surprise on Julie's return that there was no discussion about my skin concerns, what I expected from the treatment and only that she would be conducting the 90 minute facial with extraction.

The first stage I am only able to presume was cleansing and exfoliating the skin before steam was applied to soften and aid the extraction process which in short, and much to my friends disgust when I was explaining it later is to remove blackheads and whiteheads. This was the bit I was really interested in. Despite my 'beauty blogger status' and my abundance of skincare products I'm still not always the most diligent of maintaining my routine and whilst my skin is far better than it once was as a smoker especially I need a bit more assistance with blackheads.

The steam was not unpleasant although it is strange and if you've been in a steam room when it hits your lungs it is akin to that. Julie chatted to me throughout this process and asked if I'd used Dermalogica products before, discussed that I should exfoliate more and the more surprising suggestion that I should use lemon juice to tighten my pores.

If you've ever wondered about extraction let me tell you it is not a pleasant experience by any means. Julie was great at stopping and starting on different areas, reapplying steam when needed but nonetheless you know how painful it can be squeezing a blackhead on the surface, imagine tackling the ones deeper down. I winced, eyes watered and wondered why I was putting myself through this but I survived and can't deny I've ever seen my skin look so clean.

Julie was very apologetic throughout the extraction process and once complete she reassured me as such and then said now she would get into the relaxation portion of the massage, which I surmise was around 20-30 mins of the actual treatment. Julie was firm rather than the type of facial I hate which feels like my skin is just being pawed at. It's a shame I didn't find out during or after the treatment what products had been used and there was no hard sell at the end for me to purchase any products used so both positives and negatives there.

The facial massage went down to my shoulders and chest and did feel almost invasive on occasion, if you've had a back massage and squirmed at the therapist reaching the buttocks then imagine when you're conscious hands are in the breast area.

A clay mask was applied which surprised as when I'd mentioned using the Dermalogica Clay and Hydrating masks Julie queried why I needed to use the Clay one. The mask was applied and I was told I would be left for 10 minutes whilst this 'went to work'. It's a shame that the time wasn't used to provide a hand or foot massage instead of just laying on a bed alone for 10 mins, especially as at this stage I wondered why I'd needed to remove all my clothing (by that I mean my jeans, I of course left my underwear on).

Once time was up Julie cleaned my face, applied some moisturiser and I was told I could dress and she would meet me upstairs at the counter. I was surprised at this point how quickly time had gone as usually I'm willing the time to end.

Having used Book Your Lifestyle and paid in advance I was able to simply hand over a tip and be on my way. In conclusion was the facial worth it, I think so. Yes I would have liked a few extra touches to make it more of a pampering experience but as a functional facial service my skin looks amazing and I didn't leave more tense then on arriving is often the case due to boredom.

As for Book Your Lifestyle I am a big fan of the site and have already told friends and family about it and used since to book hair appointments when heading for nights out in London. If you have a Christmas party to prepare you'll need them to hand.

Would you find this service useful?

*My treatment costs were reimbursed in exchange for today's blog post

What beauty products can you really pack in your hand luggage

A couple of months ago I headed out to Ibiza for a couple of nights, hand luggage only which caused no end of concerns as everything I needed beauty wise in liquid, gel, cream form (so basically everything) had to fit in a 20cm by 20cm clear plastic bag.

So what beauty products you can really fit in your hand luggage? Or specifically one of those small plastic bags is what I'll be answering today.

Travelling light is not something I'm good at and when it comes to beauty even less so. Yes I could settle for face wipes but I'd still want a moisturiser so I think I might as well use a regular cleanser. And then there's the make up, from mascara to your favourite liquid lipstick it all needs to go in 'that bag'. You've seen some My Holiday Essentials so how was I going to reduce that further?

Often types such as this will show a selection of products that I don't believe would fit in on of these tiny plastic bags and often suggest decanting which just doesn't make sense to me. You often end up with bulkier bottles and pots that once empty you have to return home and clean for reuse. At least with various tubes, sachets and smaller sized bottles once they've been used on your trip you can throw straight into the bin.

Firstly I use the Sephora Beauty on the Fly Travel Bag. This is actually my second as perhaps the fact I have been known to and can overstuff this is the reason why. These TSA friendly bags are zipped which stops products falling out when going through security and more importantly you can plan ahead and have all your products packed and stored without a scrabble at the security desk. For $4.95 this bag is essential for all my flights.

Starting with skincare, I took along AEOS Dew Facial Wash* which worked for both day and night cleansing. I didn't wear too much heavy make up or SPF on my trip so this facial wash was great to use.  I paired that with AEOS Refreshing Hydrating Mist* which has been tagging along to all my trips. I'm not a big fan of it's botanical scent but it's hydrating qualities have worked well, especially on long haul flights.

I probably would've forgone serum for two nights but mum handily had a sample of the Clarins Double Serum which you may remember from my Pycnogenol Challenge. Eyes were covered by Dermalogica Intensive Eye Repair*, another in flight favourite thanks to it's hydrating qualities. The biggest concern was SPF and I was saved by the new release of Garnier Moisturise Bomb 3 in 1 Day Cream and it's appearance in sachet form in a number of magazines. I gathered them up and they saw me through my trip.

Another sachet I did have and enjoyed instantly was L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Magic Blur Instant Skin Smoother Finishing Cream. I found it thicker than I expected and did see my skin smooth out. I'd definitely be interested in purchasing this in full size to use regularly and see if it continues to meet my expectations.

Moving on hair, an area I could've settled with simply shampoo and conditioner but I refused to be without my Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray or a volumising dry shampoo, in this instance Percy & Reed Big, Bold & Beautiful Dry Instant Volumising Spray* which is great to add a bit of oomph to my hair between washes although perhaps more than I'd like to spend in full size. Handily I had some sachets of Bedhead by TIGI Volume Shampoo and Conditioner which with my short hair and being conseravative I was able to use for the three days and two nights and had no need for the back up from L'Oreal.

When it came to make up I returned to an old favourite, Erborian BB Creme Au Ginseng Dore. It's tube was a travel friendly size, it had SPF and was a light enough coverage for in the sun whilst adequate for a fuller face. I added the Maybelline Eye Eraser, again as it's packaging slotted nicely into the travel bag although I have to admit what was once a favourite is not evoking the love any longer. A handy Chanel Mascara in mini size was the perfect accompaniment and lipsticks, the hardest part to edit came from KIKO, Revlon and Benecos.

Other items I couldn't do without were Liz Earle Hand cream, my Diptyque Rollerball, Arm & Hammer Toothpaste and of course a Soap & Glory shower gel and spare contact lenses.

I think you can see I managed to pack quite a lot into my hand luggage beauty bag and all that was left for me to do was pop to the supermarket and pick up some disposable razors. Anything you think I missed or was unnecessary?

Let me know how you would pack your hand luggage and hope this helps if you're heading off for some Winter sun.

*this post contains press sample and affiliate links