Current Skincare Picks

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It's taken me so long to actually write today's post that all three products I'm talking about today that they are almost ready for the empties pile, with one ready to be repurchased come payday.

Micellar Lotion's were a completely unknown product to me before they started being talked about across blogs. I never quite got into the Bioderma hype taking the view, that even with my sometimes lax skincare routine that I would either cleanse 'properly' or not at all. As time has moved on I have seen the value of a micellar water even if I still can't talk about them as the most exciting product in my routine. I use them to remove eye make up before going in with my cleansing balms, oils and/or creams as a little helping hand and to avoid smearing mascara across my flannel and therefore face.

I'm comfortable with a high street micellar water but I recently had the opportunity to try from from the french pharmacy brand, Embryolisse. I enjoy Embryolisse as a brand and have recently finished using the Lait-Creme Concentrate so I was keen to see whether a £15.99 Micellar Water could excite me more than others I've tried.

Whilst we're all becoming more knowledgeable and sophisticated about products we put on our skin I'm not fully convinced we're too worried about our micellar waters but I did notice a difference between Embryolisse Micellar Lotion and my more affordable options. Usually I would remove my eye make up and head straight into cleansing and applying my serums and moisturisers but during my 'testing phase' I would use to remove all my make up and try waiting around to see how my skin felt after using and it was certainly less drying and felt 'kinder' to my skin than cheaper brands I'd used.

If money were no object, my skin were more sensitive or I used micellar lotion in my routine as a more a cleanser then I would certainly repurchase Embryolisse Micellar Lotion but as I am simply using to remove eye make up or as part of a wider skincare regime I am happy to keep using the lower end products.

On a similar theme of budget versus high end products the time came for a new facial spritz or toner in my routine. I have always opted for Liz Earle Skin Tonic Spritz but again, it's a little more than I would like to spend on a product that feels more of a pampered step of my routine rather than providing significant help. I saw Mikhila feature the Botanics Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz and for between £5 and £8 depending on what offers Boots are running it was worth giving a try and I was so glad I did.

I was worried I would hate it's scent because I'm not a fan of 'rose' but this is anything but. The rose water smells to me spa like and I get a familiar feeling of luxury like I would from using Caudalie Beauty Elixir. I am currently eeking out the final couple of sprays before I repurchase. I've seen some criticism on the brand that the once affordable price point has been creeping up but I'm comfortable with their pricing and interested to explore more, perhaps next their cleansing balm - has anyone tried it?

Finally is a product I'm a big fan of and would never had known about but for a PR reaching out to me. I first tried the What Skin Needs Hydrating Facial Serum about a year ago and find its great for my skin when its suffering dryness from the elements - whether they are self inflicted hangovers or a change in temperatures.

This is a serum you're aware you're applying, its oil like in texture and will slowly sink into skin but it is just the trick to make my skin look plump and refreshed when I'm otherwise. At £12.99 it's got a great price point and I would imagine those with extremely dry skins, or dare I suggest as we start to look forward to the Autumn and Winter seasons this is a product worth having in your arsenal.

What skin products have you been using recently?

Beauty Products Elle Woods Would Love

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I'm first to admit that photography isn't my strongest skill as a blogger but sometimes an array of products arrive through the door that lend themselves well to the perfect image and I'm quite pleased with the result as I think Legally Blonde's Elle Woods would love seeing so much pink.

Starting with my favourite product of the bunch Embryolisse Complexion Correcting Skincare CC Cream.  Embryolisse call this a 'universal complexion perfector' with SPF 20 which will 'preserve a radiant youthfulness' and 'correct imperfections' and when they're being particularly confident with their claims it's a 'complete skincare treatment'.

To tackle a gripe first of course this is once again not a universal product, especially if like me you're using as a light base even with it's 'self-adjusting pigments'. In fact I'd be cautious if you were using otherwise as on my first uses I was concerned it was a little too orange (it wasn't my blending skills were lacking!).

Since I have been using thoroughly and as a base product I've fallen in love with it's silky and velvety finish and how radiant it leaves my skin (paired with Milani Prime Protect Face Primer it's a winning combination) and you can offer your opinion from the photo of me below. It's perfect for the Summer season.

Hyaluronic Acid helps to plump the skin aiding the blurring of my wrinkles it's a thicker consistency than I expected whilst offering ingredients which protect against ageing. Of course as a base it evens the skin tone and really does give the 'your skin but better' appearance and in fact, when not wearing I do find an improvement in my skins appearance so it is working in both areas of my daily regime.

It's pricey and matches the cost of some high end foundations at £29.99 but if you're looking for multi-use products and need to save costs on moisturisers and make up then it might be somewhere for you to look; especially as it's available 3 for 2 on skincare at Boots currently.

Benefit The Porefessional is my favourite primer and one I've repurchased many times and the bar I set all others to so I was excited when a new version was released Benefit The POREfessional Pearl Primer. Sadly I have been disappointed and thankful I picked up the small travel size to test out. Benefit claim to provide a 'lit-from-within' look on my skin I find it just a little bit subtle for me and as for my pores yes they're smoothed but I don't feel as much as the original. Of course it could be familiarity but it will be perfect for casual make up looks or indeed when I need a little help the morning after the night before.

I was worried I am so late talking about the L'Occitane and Rifle Paper Collection that I'd have to add the disclaimer of here they are but they're sold out. The good news is that's not the case and thankfully it's only limited edition packaging rather then products themselves.

I've long been a fan of L'Occitane hand creams so to see such a beautiful collaboration with Rifle Papers delightful artwork it was a match made in heaven. I was lucky enough to receive two versions of the hand cream, both with shea butter the orignal and the rose scent.

That pictured above is the Rose Shea Butter Hand Cream and whilst aesthetically pleasing with I really do not like a rose scent and found this very overpowering. Of course if you want to smell like you literally have a bouquet of flowers in your hands this is perfect for you and indeed the friend I was able to pass it onto.

The Original Shea Butter Hand Cream on the other hand is bliss. This tube sits aside my sofa at home and whilst it's not necessary to keep reapplying because it keeps hands so soft for such a length of time its a pleasure to repeat the process.

The original shea butter hand cream is not a light cream but nor is it too heavy. Thick enough for even the current climate as we switch between trying to turn our heating off but still finding a chill in the air of an evening.

Hands are not left feeling greasy after use and there is barely a scent so it doesn't interfere with other fragrance I might be wearing.

Hand cream and lip balms are the product I use most often as even when I can't be bothered to apply make up or even a skincare regime I can't bear dry hands or lips. Lypsyl kindly sent me a couple of lip balms from their range of newly reformulated products and such is my regular usage they've ended up in the empties pile already albeit unfortunately because they both suffered from the warm weather and snapped before I'd reached the bottom.

Each stick contains ingredients to hydrate and smooth lips and you can pick your choice from flavours such as Mint or Cucumber or my favourite Cherry.

Another product that's made it's way into the empties pile is Hempz Pomegranate Body Wash thanks in part to coming along on my recent trip to Las Vegas. Hempz is a US brand easily found on the shelves at Ulta. It's a little more difficult for us in the UK to track down but they have now launched online in the UK.

This is not your cheapest body wash at £16.99 for 250ml and it's neither the most luxurious but I cannot deny the scent is something amazing and all ingredients are vegan friendly including, with a nod to their name, 100% hemp seed oil.

Hemp seed oil is rich in numerous vitamins, all essential in maintaining healthy and (cough) younger looking skin and hair. I can't say whether my body wash is aiding youthful skin and I'm afraid my grey's still need regular touch ups but skin is certainly not striped and is left feeling nourished which is something necessary for someone like me who is lax with applying body lotions.

As for the scent I'm calling this my Summer version of Jo Malone's Pomegranate Noir. It's not as dark and more fruity but I love it. And a look through the Hempz website will show you an array of products in the scent ranges. And as I experienced with the Hempz body lotion their products feel like they last a lifetime as a little goes a long way.

How do you feel about pink packaging? Is it cliched or do you want to see more of it?

Men's Christmas Gift Guide

If I do say so myself I'm pretty good at gift buying but before I put my initiative into action I like to check if there is anything specific the men in my life would like. This often results in some dithering and typically I find myself days from Christmas with just one or two men to buy for.

My dad for example 'doesn't want anything' although will 'joke' on Christmas Day about his lack of presents or more annoyingly request my assistance ordering something online I could've gave him on Christmas or then you have Ben who told me mere days ago what he would like after I'd already come up with my own ideas and so he would have at least something to open on the day.

Whether the men in your life have piles of gifts that are looking a little small in comparison to other members of the family or you need to just find something here are a few suggestions from me to you.

First is The Ladybird Book of The Hangover. I love Ladybird books and my early readers will remember that I used to collect original vintage copies of the books we know and love. With the current trend for nostalgia and the release of this adult versions of the book they are great fun to gift friends and family - especially with hangovers ensuing.

My brother loves a beauty product or two and especially what he calls my 'swag' (the products I receive to review on Florence and Mary) so he'll be excited to open up these products from Embryolisse and Mandara Spa on Christmas Day which have nicely padded out the Lush items he requested. 

Mandara Spa you may know as the high street brand from the people behind Elemis and you'll be able to pick up their products in your local Sainsbury as you're stocking up on Christmas Day supplies. The Mandara Spa for Men Essentials Kit* contains a lip and aftershave balm which is the perfect size to slot in a gift card and what I have done for my dad as it makes wrapping far easier and looks a little more exciting than just the gift card and the Mandara Spa Mens Body Duo* will be an ideal set for my brother to use as he always has a bag with toiletries required for work and when he hits the gym.

I'm keen to get my brothers thoughts on the Embryolisse Mens Shower Gel* which I can say does smell amazing and I know he's a big fan of aftershave balms so Embryolisse's* offering, if as good as the moisturisers I use should be a big hit.

If in any further doubt then consider their favourite TV show and who doesn't love Game of Thrones? I'm wrapping the Game of Thrones Lannister Banner Pack* up as a gift for my brother and nephew. Whilst Brody is too young for Game of Thrones it's Lego-esq nature means it'll be a fun present for them to enjoy together. The Hound's Helmet* will be going to my brother in law who is a big fan of the show and I'm sure he'll have trouble keeping it away from the kids.

I know the men will be happy with their gifts and they're all products that I could easily reach for on the high street without having to tackle the larger shopping departments and all will make a nice accompaniment to gift vouchers or the traditional male gift in our family, a bottle of booze.

What are you buying the man in your life?

*this post contains press samples and / or affiliate links