La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo + | Review

I'm very lucky with my skin. I'm combination/oily skin type, however rarely get spots other than the odd one or two, so you can imagine my dismay a month or two back when I practically erupted in the things. I don't know whether it was my diet, my busy routine, not enough water....I honestly couldn't tell you why it happened, but something had to change, enter La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo +. 

I've heard a lot about this coveted little cream, being a blogger favourite, but until recently, never felt the need to pick it up, however with my recent troubles, I decided to use my trusty Boots points to pick it up. 

La Roche Posay have revamped the Effaclar Duo, to the Effaclar Duo +, and having never used the original, I can't compare the two, however the + claims to battle red marks left behind by blemishes, and as far as my skin goes, I have noticed that they have been fading a lot faster than usual, which I have put down to the cream... 

I was terrified that the Effaclar Duo + would just break me out more, but thankfully, it's just as good as people say it is, and using it on blemish prone areas morning and night during troublesome times halves the time it take for the blemishes to fade away. When I was having skin troubles, my face had been not a pretty sight for almost a week, but after using the cream before moisturising, they had almost disappeared within 3 days. 

You only get 40ml, however the amount you need for each application is so small, and the fact that I only use it when I have a breakout means this tube will last me for quite a while. 

James Brown Intense Moisture Collection | Review

So with the mental weather changes recently, my hair has been feeling a little on the dry side and I've been trying a number of different oils, serums and conditioners to try and tame my locks but nothing was working. Then I remembered that I received the James Brown Intense Moisture set for Christmas and thought I'd give it a go... 

Well I've been using it for around a week now, and I can safely say that this stuff is amazing! From the first wash, I blow dried my hair and had to double take in the mirror afterwards! I usually have to use heat tools on my hair after blow drying as it's quite thick and can become frizzy, however after using the James Brown Intense Moisture Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair Mask, my hair was sleek and soft, and since switching to this brand, I haven't had to use my straighteners even once! Don't get me wrong, it hasn't made my hair bolt straight, I still have my natural wave, but it's so sleek and smooth! I just can't rave about the results enough! I'm in love. 

My only problem with these products are the smell. I'm all for a gorgeously scented hair product, there's nothing better than getting a good whiff of your freshly washed hair, but I'm just not keen on the scent of this. A mediocre scent is something I can definitely live with in order to get glossy, soft hair though! If your hair is suffering from the change in weather like mine, or if you're looking for a new shampoo and conditioner aimed at battling dry locks, I'd definitely recommend the Intense Moisture range, which you can purchase from Boots.  

The Skincare Shake-up.

So I've gonna and done the unmentionable. I've used up my moisturiser, toner, night cream and evening cleanser all in one go and decided to completely change up my routine. I know what you're thinking, she must be crazy! Why would she do such a thing? We'll call me crazy but I fancied a shake up as my skin was beginning to look a little dull and lacked life. Not to mention I was beginning to get a few more spots and blemishes than were acceptable! 

I've switched up my The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter in favour of the much coveted Liz Earle Cleanse And Polish. My much beloved Seaweed Clarifying Toner has been cast aside to make room for the Liz Earle Skin Boosting Tonic. My usual Good Things Mattifying Moisturiser has been in my life for almost a year, but has been swapped for the Liz Earle Moisturiser for Oily/Combination Skin. My Boots Sensitive Night Cream has had he last scrap of product removed and in it's place stands The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream. And finally, I've thrown the La Roche Posay Effaclair Duo + into the mix. 

A very brave, albeit risky move which will be either the very best, or very worst decision for my skin... Only time will tell... 

Empties | March 2014

Can 2014 please just take a moment to breathe? Its going way too fast for my liking! How is it Easter in two weeks?? 

Speed aside, I've managed to use up a few products during March...

Anew Reversal Night Cream & Boots Simply Sensitive Night Moisturiser | The first of the two was given to me by the mother bear, and its been sat in a drawer, unused and probably past its use by date, so I've finally thrown it away. The Boots offering however has been the perfect night cream, not too heavy and soothing after a long day. 

The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Toner | I have declared my love for this toner before so I wont repeat myself but if you have oily skin, this stuff is amazing! 

Good Thing Miracle Mattifier Moisturiser | Speaking of oily skin, this moisturiser has been my staple for months now, and gives moisture, whilst keeping sebum at bay. 

The Body Shop Coconut Body Mist | I loved the mango version of this but something about the coconut version just didn't hit the spot for me...

Goldwell Twist Around Curl Styling Spray | Ever since my perm last year..which I'm sure has grown out by now, I've been loving the natural waves look, and this curling spray helps to lock curls or waves in place. It feels like nothing more than water on your hair and smells divine, like banana. I love it so much that I already have another on standby! 

Soap and Glory Butter Yourself Body Butter | What would an empties post be without a body butter? I've been using this massive 300ml tub for the past two months and it's only just become empty! It smells fruity and light, however the cream itself is thick and rich, soaking in to leave your skin so soft. I like to slather this on at night, and by morning it still feels like I only moisturised an hour before there are other scents that I prefer, however for the quality and amount you get, I'd definitely purchase again. 

March 2014 | Favourites

It's that time again! Lets crack on with my favourite products of March! 

Skincare-wise, I've given my whole routine a shake up, more on that later this week! Two new products I've been loving are the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic and La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo +. The Skin Tonic has been so soothing on my skin and has the most amazing scent. I really feel like it's adding a certain something to my complexion whenever I use this. The Effaclar Duo is something I've wanted for such a long time and last month had a particularly nasty breakout so used my trusty Boots points and treated myself. Yes girls, It really is as good as they say! I've also been loving two eye products. The Boots Essentials Cucumber Eye Gel as it's so cooling and soothing after a long day, and the Benefit It's Potent has been perfect for injecting some moisture in the mornings. 

Make up-wise, only two products have been standouts this month the first being the Maybelline Colorsensational Shine Gloss in the shade 'Glorious Grapefruit. I'm loving glossy lips at the moment, and with Spring making a welcome appearance, this coral pink shade has been perfect. I've also ventured into the world of highlighters, and have been absolutely loving Benefit High Beam. I know I'm late to the highlighter party but I'm here now and loving the 'glowing skin' look they can achieve. 

Last but not least is nails. I've been going for a barely there but polished look, and Not Just a Pretty Face by Essie has been the perfect nude pink. 

What have you been loving during March? 

Essie Nail Polish in 'Not Just a Pretty Face'

I think it's safe to say my love affair with nail Polish is verging on obsession like. In all honestly I never used to be bothered about them, a few nudey pinks were all I really wore. My obsession began a few years ago. I can't pinpoint the exact moment but I now own more polishes in various shades than I care to admit! My love for the nude pinks are still there though, and every so often one pops up that has me falling in love all over again. Enter 'Not Just a Pretty Face'... 

I've been loving a nude nail recently. There's something about a barely there, milky shade that's just so elegant and chic. I've been wearing Essie 'Waltz', a milky white shade, however my heart yearned for a touch of pink for a more feminine approach. I actually went into Boots and headed straight for the Essie aisle looking for the shade 'Fiji', however came away with 'Not Just a Pretty Face', which in my eyes, is better! It's such a gorgeous pinky nudey shade that looks absolutely effortlessly classy and is suitable for any occasion. As with all Essie shades, the formulation is great, and the lasting power is pretty impressive! I can imagine this being one of those timeless shades that will carry me right through Spring, and carry on into the year. 

Empties | February

How are we into March already? The speed of this year is blowing my little mind! February has whizzed by in a flash, so much so that I've barely used up any products... 

Avon Clearskin Pore Penetrating Clay Mask | Avon are a company which I dabble into every now and then. I don't often go near the make up, however I am partial to their planet spa range. I decided to try this clay mask after it was given to me by the mother bear, who in her own words 'would never use it, and didn't know why she had it'... Honestly, I wasn't expecting much, but this heavy duty clay mask is brilliant at drawing out impurities and leaving me with smoother, less 'pore-y' skin. Definitely a cheaper alternative to some of the higher end clay masks... I'm tempted to try more from the range! 

Would I purchase again? Yes

St Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body Moisturiser Light/Medium | I received this in a goody bag at Clothes Show Live last year, and honestly, it hasn't wowed me. I don't know if it's the fact that it's aimed at light/medium skin but it barely did anything...I ended up using this as an arm moisturiser just to use it up in the end. 

Would I purchase again? I don't think it's worth the hype. 

The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care SPF 15 | This is a big moment for me. Finishing a lip balm NEVER happens! It's just typical that I didn't want this one to end! I loved this, and used it religiously over all other balms. The Body Shop have done me proud. I'm very tempted to try their Aloe Vera Lip Care next, which Alix at icovetthee.com and Estée at essiebutton.com have both raved about. 

Would I purchase again? Yes, but I have a fair few to get through first! 

Jergens Naturals Aloe Soothing Body Moisturiser | I featured this moisturiser in my January favourites post, so it's unsurprising that it's ended up in my empties. I have a slight obsession with body butters, but sometimes it's nice to just quickly slap on a moisturiser rather than put in the time (and it IS time consuming) and effort into a heavy duty butter. This aloe moisturiser has such a fresh scent, and kept me feeling soft all day. 

Would I purchase again? Yes

Soap & Glory Rich and Foamous Body Wash | Oh lordy, this stuff smells amazing! Like brown sugar and cake mix and biscuits....oh lordy lordy!! Can you tell I liked this? I actually think it's right up there in my favourite wintery shower scents, and the huge bottle you get makes it even sweeter! 

Would I purchase again? Once my mammoth body wash collection dies down then definitely!