Favourites | January 2014

I don't know about you, but after all the craziness of Christmas and new year, January always leaves me feeling deflated and seems to drag like no other month. 2014 has been no exception and I'm actually glad the month of blues is reaching it's end! 

Nevertheless, I have been using this month to get well aquainted with some beauty products. Here are my January best picks! 

Soap and Glory 'Lid Stuff' Eyeshadow Quad

I've forgotten to photograph this, but you find it on the Boots website here. I bought this quad back in the summer last year and I have made a serious dent in at least two of the shades! If you're a neutral palette kinda gal, you NEED this in your life. For £10 you get four gorgeously pigmented shades, perfect for creating a variety of nude looks. The size of each colour is almost exactly the same as a Mac Pro Palette refill but for a fraction of the price, and in my opinion, it's a serious contender quality wise as well! The shades are butter like and apply like a dream, definitely one I'm glad to have in my collection. 

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in 'Peach Blossom' 

This little baby was on my Christmas list and since excitedly opening it on Christmas morning it has been a firm favourite and has lived on my lips through the majority of this month. The perfect sheer peachy nude goes with, and has been going with EVERYTHING!  

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker XL Lip Gloss
Other than my MAC lipstick, this gloss from S&G has lived in my handbag and is perfect for a quick fix throughout the day. I'm quite partial to a gloss at the minute and this smells like caramel, and plumps your lips (Be prepared for immense tingling). The bubblegum pink shade is so cute too and has been pairing quite nicely with my cold flushed cheeks! 

REN Invisible Pores Face Mask

Oh my. When I first used this mask, I must admit me and REN had a bit I a moment, I actually thought I'd fallen in love! We all know what a clay mask does;  draws out imperfections, tightens pores, leaves your skin feeling smooth albeit a tad tight? Well this little beauty does all that except my skin doesn't feel tight, rather it feels soft and just...clean. The best part? REN is against animal testing (something I try to steer clear of as much as I can) and doesn't contain any of the nasties that were all trying to keep away from out skins! 

Sleek Zuri Brightening Night Sirum

Who knew sleek did skincare? I certainly didn't, not even when I bought it! It wasn't until I perused the labels that I noticed the brand discreetly on the back of the packaging! I'm fairly new to sirums but the 'brightening' aspect had me sold. I'm not sure if the effects actually brighten my skin, but it certainly feels plump and injects extra moisture into the skin, which makes for an overall brighter appearance! 

Barry M Nail Polish in 'Berry Cosmo' and Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish in 'Caramel Cupcake'

I have worn nothing but these two shades throughout January, you know you love a shade when you remove it, just to reapply! The Barry M offering is the most gorgeous deep berry, which lived on my nails throughout the first half of January, whilst the Rimmel beige/caramel is the perfect nude, perfectly polished but barely there colour! 

Jergens Natural Aloe Soothing Moisturiser 
I got this for my birthday back in September, and had used it here and there, favouring thicker body butters, however this month with the short days and hectic schedule, I just haven't had time, so I've been reaching for this thinner cream for a quick injection of moisture, and have barely touched any other body moisturiser. It has such a clean scent and leaves me feeling thoroughly moisturised. 

Soap and Glory 'Hand Food' 
I wasn't in the market for a new handcream, however in the 'Yule Monty' set I received for Christmas, there was hand food. I have been having a slight love affair with its marshmallow scent ever since! 

Dainty Doll Blusher Shade '004'
I bought this last year from Fragrance Direct and was thoroughly disappointed when I opened the packaging as I didn't realise it would be so shimmery. It was put into a box and forgotten about. I decided after Christmas to have a make up shuffle, and came across this again. I gave it a go, and with a light hand, it has easily become my go to blush for an everyday make up look. The shimmer is actually perfect for these cold, winter days as it injects some life into my pale skin. It reminds me a lot of the Nars Orgasm blusher, which is a cult favourite, however never appealed to me. After rediscovering the Dainty Doll blush, I may have to rethink... 

Empties | January

Wow, yet another empties post, these come around so often, which is weird a January has dragged so much for me! 

Anyway, I'll crack on, these are the products I've used up during January! 

Herbal Essences Uplifting Volume Conditioner

I can't say that this conditioner really gave me much volume, even paired with the shampoo, however it smells lovely and left my hair feeling soft. 

Would I repurchase? Probably not as a volumiser. 

The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter 

This stuff is amazing! I wasn't overly bothered at first, but once you actually start using this, the smell is incredible. If you like smelling like frubes and having super soft skin, this is the body butter for you! 

Would I repurchase? I was lucky enough to receive this as a birthday present in full size so I won't need to for a while! But I definitely would in future! 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Exfoliating Pads 

I am absolutely gutted that TBS have discontinued these, I have rationed them like nobodies business but finally used the last one up. This was such a great little product and I just wish that I could repurchase! 

Fake Bake Rough To Buff Body Polish 

I got this in a Fake Bake set, and I have to say, I hate it. I don't like the smell or the texture, as I like my scrubs to have more of a gritty texture to them, so I can actually feel them doing so good. 

Would I repurchase? Safe to say no. 

Rimmel 5 in 1 clear Top/Base Coat

I loved this when I first bought it, however after a few months it's just gotten gloopy and sticky to the point where I cant use it anymore. 

Would I repurchase? Probably not. 

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover 

I'm devastated to let this one go as it's just a miracle worker. It's lasted about 8/9 months which I think is really good going, and I'm pretty sure there is still some remover left, but the sponge has gotten tattered and my nails come out covered in little grey bits so it's time to say goodbye. 

Would I repurchase? Definitely! 

Rimmel BB Cream in Shade 'Light' 

This was a little light for my skin, however for lazing around at home, this was great at just covering enough to make you feel a little more fresh faced. The formula was a little thick, however, and took a lot of buffing and blending into the skin. 

Would I repurchase? No. I'd probably go for a tinted moisturiser in future. 

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 'Soft Beige'

Oh my I love this foundation. I've heard that it's a dupe of the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation, which is on my wishlist, so i'll be interested to see how it compares. It's a satin finish foundation which smells quite fruity and has just enough coverage to hide blemishes yet still look natural. 

Would I repurchase? Yes

The Body Shop Mango Body Mist

This body mist is perfect for summer. It's fruity yet floral with a slight hint of musk, and the smell lingers really well for a body mist. 

Would I repurchase? Yes

Garnier Ultra Dry 48 Hour Deodorant 

I know deodorants aren't all that interesting, but I think I've found my perfect one. I love everything about this, down to the scent. I wouldn't agree with the 48 hour claim, but a full day at work/Uni is more like it. 

Would I repurchase? Yes 

There we have it, another month of empties, what have you been using up this month? 

Empties | October // November // December 2013

Hello! 

I've been really bad at posting these last few months, simply because I haven't had the time to blog! But I have been faithfully collecting my empty products from the last few months for you lovely people to nosey at! 

The Body Shop Mango Shower Gel: Definitely leaning towards a more summery shower gel, this mango scent is light and refreshing and the scent lingers on your skin after a shower. This 250ml bottle lasted me absolutely ages, as you only need a tiny amount to make a rich lather. 

Would I purchase again? Maybe, but I have so many lined up in my stash, it wouldn't be any time soon! 

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash: This body wash comes in a huge 500ml bottle with a pump, making it one of the easiest body washes to use! As i'm sure you've heard me say before, the scent of this whole range is to die for; sugary, sweet and limey - the perfect combination for a refreshing yet indulgent bathing experience - without all the guilty calories! 

Would I purchase again? Already have one full size and one half size on standby! 

The Body Shop Vineyard Peach Body Scrub: I really wasn't sold on this scrub. I bought it in one of TBS's many many sales, so it ended up only costing me a few pounds, however if I'd have bought it for full price I'd have been pretty annoyed as it just didn't wow me. The smell is very synthetic, which I don't mind in the body butter form, however the scrub was sickly. The scrub formula itself was creamy, quite scratchy and anti climatic. It did the job, but others have done it better. 

Would I purchase again? No. 

Avon Planet Spa Japanese Sake and Rice Illuminating Body Cream: If Avon have ever done anything right, it's their planet spa range, I love everything I've ever tried from them, my favourite being the Mediterranean Olive Oil Hair Mask, which is pure luxury. This body lotion smelt so amazing, I don't even know how to describe it, except that I loved it and the scent lingered for hours afterwards. The lotion has slight shimmer, which 'illuminates'. The shimmer is noticeable, but not glittery. It sinks fairly quickly into the skin, without leaving a sticky or oily residue and hydrates well. 

Would I purchase again? Purely for the scent, if nothing else! 

No7 Enriched Hand and Nail Treatment: I was neither here nor there with this hand cream, it was OK, kept my hands fairly hydrated, sunk in quickly however left an oily residue behind, and smelled so-so. A 4/10 from me. 

Would I purchase again? Nah. 

Garnier Body Body Tonic Firming Hydrating Lotion: So far, I have loved every Garnier body lotion I have come across, I find their formulas to be hydrating, yet incredibly light and the scents are to die for. This lotion claimed to create a more toned 'firm' look, and if you are looking for long term benefits, you have come to the wrong lotion, however the caffeine within this lotion does give short term effects, which give an illusion of smoother, more toned legs. For use in the summer, this lotion is second to none, and I'm looking forward to cracking another of these bad boys out next summer! 

Would I purchase again? Definitely!

The Body Shop Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask: I've had a love/hate relationship with this mask. Most of the time I love it - it's great for a really deep clean, and the clay draws out all the nasty impurities leaving baby soft and clear skin. As I've gone through the tub, the smell, which has always been a tad overpowering, had started to become TOO overpowering for me, so much so that I was glad I'd finished the tub. It's a great mask, but I would recommend giving one a sniff in the shop before you buy to make sure it's not too much for your nostrils to take! 

Would I purchase again? Not right now, I'm trying out alternative clay masks. 

Lush Mask of Magnaminty: I'm sure I've spoken about this before, it's a great little all rounder mask for when you just want a little pick me up with added texture to gently exfoliate. 

Would I purchase again? I have one lined up already. 

No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser: I loved this cleanser. It has a really clean, pleasant smell, and worked well to remove all make up (even mascara). Plus with my No7 voucher it was only £4.95 - Bargain! 

Would I purchase again? I would, but I'm branching out and trying different cleansers at the moment in a bid to find my holy grail. 

Lush Cupcake Fresh Facemask: I know this mask gets a lot of great reviews, but for me, this mask was just ok. It gave my skin a nice boost, however I like to feel wowed after I've had a mask on, and after I washed this off, I just felt like I'd washed my face, no wow factor. 

Would I purchase again? Probably not. 

Vie Seventh Heaven Cleansing Balm: I bought this from fragrance direct after my beloved No7 cleanser had ran out, and it was my first foray into the world of balm cleansers. I have to say, this was not a bad little cleanser, and has been effectively removing my mascara, although it did take me a week or two to get used to the texture. This has been known to make my eyes sting a little, but it's probably my own fault for not closing them properly! 

Would I purchase again? No. 

REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask: Oh, yes, the marmalade mask everyone has been talking about...made my skin sting like mad! I'm not sure if it's meant to, but it got a point where it became almost uncomfortable. After removing the mask, however, I did see what the fuss was about - It felt like I'd had a layer of new skin, however i'm not sure I can justify spending £30 for the full sized version.

Would I purchase again? Maybe, if the right sale was on... 

Lush Ocean Salt Facial Scrub: This little baby is a little coarse for more than one use a week, but it's so fresh and clean, and leaves my face so baby soft and smooth, that I genuinely see it as a treat to use! I found that using this once, sometimes twice a week, using a peasized amount each time, lasted me just under a year! Value for money? I think so... 

Would I purchase again? Already have done! 

Benefit They're Real Mascara: (Not pictured) Oh my, I've definitely fallen hard for this one. Believe the hype surrounding this mascara, it's all true! I had my doubts about a mascara costing double the average price, however I'd now happily part with that cash, as no other mascara can compare. 

Would I purchase again? Have done, and will be doing for the foreseeable future!

Next Eau Bloom Fragrance: This is the most gorgeous, floral yet fruity summer scent, and I'm actually gutted that next aren't currently stocking it. Fingers crossed it will be back for summer! 

Would I purchase again? In a heartbeat! 

Miss Sixty Elixer Perfume: I got this as a gift for my 17th birthday, and I've loved it ever since. This is my second bottle of the stuff (I went years without it before I finally tracked it down again) It's such a unique scent, unlike my signature light and fruity/floral scents, but I think this is what I like about it. 

Would I purchase again? Once my collection has died down a tad, who knows? 

Andrew Collinge Perfect Endings Heat Defence Spray: It has taken me a long, long time to finish this, it's one of those products that seem to be never ending! I have quite resilient hair, however I always make sure I've spritzed the lengths and ends of my locks with heat defence spray before using heat tools. This one has served me well, and has saved me from many a frazzled hairdo! 

Would I purchase again? Yes. 

Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo: I don't yet have a replacement for this baby so I'm distraught that it's sprayed it's last spray... what will I do on a bad hair day now??! In my eyes, there is no better dry shampoo than batiste, and it goes without saying that I shall be popping to boots very soon to stock up.... 

Would I purchase again? Yes, but I may try a different scent...broaden my horizons... 

I shall try my best to actually post a january empties at the end of the month to avoid such mammoth blogposts in future!! 

Gem Xx 

Combination/Oily Skincare Saviours.

I had a really lazy skincare day today, and missed out toner and primer from my usual routine. Having to leave the house at 6:20am will do that to you... 

It wasn't until my train journey home when I looked into my compact and realised my whole face was glowing, and not in a good way. I was very oily. Toner and primer are products that I use, but don't really think too much about their effects, and up until today I didn't really think they had much of an effect. Sat on that train, burying my face into my scarf so that nobody could see my greaseball of a face, I thought about all the products made for oily/combination skin that I use, and just how much of a difference it makes when I skip a step or two. 

I've decided to put together a little post of my current rotation of combo/oily skincare items, and give my two cents on them.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser

This is the first primer I tried. Primer was a new concept to me in 2013. Before that I used to just slap foundation onto my skin and didn't really think about it. I'm lucky that my skin isn't overly blemish prone or blotchy so longevity was never a big issue for me. As I've gotten more into make up and skincare, I've taken more care over my choices, and primer was introduced into my routine. I have to say I love it. The tea tree really helps to keep any blemishes at bay. I can't say I've noticed a huge difference n the size of my pores, however it does smooth out my skin, making foundation easier to apply, and keeps any shine from peeping through for at least 3-4 hours more. 

The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Toner

Specially formulated for oily/combo skin, this little baby is amazing. I use it every morning, and this is my second bottle of the stuff. I've used toner for years, but this one has a special place in my heart for keeping shine at bay. 

Good Things Miracle Mattifier Moisturiser

This cream claims to mattify your face, and again is targeted to us oily skinned girls. It has extracts of blackcurrant and goji berry which are quickly absorbed by the skin, and absorb any excess oil, leaving your skin with more of a matte finish. Good things pride themselves on being free from parabens, SLS, mineral oils and animal ingredients, and also aren't tested on animals.

REN Mayblossom T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel
This has been my first foray into REN, I got this and the Invisible Pores Detox Mask for Christmas. so far, I love it! I always use a balm/hot cloth cleanser for taking make up off and deep cleansing in the evening, but I like to have something refreshing and light to use in the morning. This is also aimed at reducing excess oil production in the T-Zone. Definitely a thumbs up from me!

REN Invisible Pores Detox Mask
A REN wishlist wouldn't be complete without this bad boy, and it thus far lives up to the hype completely. I have only used it once, however it blew all other clay masks that I have used out of the water. My skin felt so squeaky clean and soft, but not dried out and tight, like some clay masks are prone to doing. I'm planning on a full review of both REN products so I won't say too much more!

Lush Coalface Cleanser
I went in for the herbalism cleanser, and was somehow talked into buying this lump of black soaplike stuff. At the time I almost felt like I had been tricked....until I tried it. It's full of charcoal and other impurity soaking goodness. Using this in the morning, or evening, or any time of day really completely mattifies my skin and keeps oil at bay. The great thing about this is that you can cut off little bits to use as and when you want. This block only cost me around £4, but has lasted me since last May of fairly regular use, and I still have loads!

I'd love to know if anyone has any recommendations for me that they use so pop a comment below and let me know!

Gem. Xx 

Boots Sale Buys.

I have a love hate relationship with sales, particularly January sales. I, like most of us, love a good bargain. I love the feeling of wearing or using something and knowing that I got a special deal on it. It's the queueing that I can't deal with. And the crowds. This is something that isn't only applicable to sales, I'm starting to become that girl who dreads a shopping trip on a Saturday. So I've taken to that grand old invention; the internet. I've done all my January sales shopping, browsing and all, online, and ended up making a sizeable order from New Look, and I'm currently eyeing up a few things from Topshop. 

Walking home from Uni yesterday I passed Boots and decided to have a quick look around. I'd already poured over the website to see if any deals were to be had, however hadn't really found too much I wanted, so I wasn't expecting much, however I came out with armfuls of shopping bags....This is what I got my mitts on! 

Champneys Mens Facial Skincare Set RRP £18 | Sale Price £9

I picked this up for my boyfriend as a little 'just because' gift. I don't know about mens skincare, but Champneys for women can be fairly pricey so I thought for 3 full sized products, £9 was an absolute bargain! 

Soap & Glory 'Once Upon A Lime' Set RRP £18 | Sale Price £9

I'll be honest, I have enough bath and body products to last me until next year, and a vast majority of them are Soap & Glory. Did I need this set? No. Did I want it? Hell yes! If you're a regular reader of my blog you'll know I loved the Sugar Crush range when it first came out and I used it non stop throughout the summer. The one product I didn't try out from the range, however was the body buttercream. £10.50 seemed a little steep for my student budget to cope with. This set has the full sized buttercream, half sized shower cream, miniature scrub and a shower puff for £9. I win.

Vintage Heart Shaped Trinket Dish RRP £8 | Sale Price £4

Shabby chic is taking over my life. Or at the very least my bedroom. This little dish I thought would be perfect for little bits and bobs such as bracelets, earrings etc that I use regularly. 

Starbucks Coffee, Mug & Caramel Syrup Set RRP £14 | Sale Price £7

OK, I admit I wanted this solely for the mug, I have a bit of a thing with quirky mugs, and I'm building up quite a collection. When I eventually set up camp in my own home, I like the idea of having a cupboard full of interesting mugs that have a story behind them rather than a set of generic ones. I haven't tried the coffee yet but the syrup in hot chocolate was yummy! 

Laura Ashley Two Drawer Storage Box RRP £12 | Sale Price £6 

How cute is this? Even the sales assistant that served me was chatting away about how pretty this was. It has two decent sized drawers which are currently housing some beauty bits and bobs that I don't use very often/haven't used yet. I was surprised at how much I can actually fit into them, and for just £6, I'm really happy with my purchase. 

Have you been shopping the sales? 

Gem. Xx 

Lush 'So White' Bath Ballistic.

Hey lovelies! 

I hope you've all been indulging in too much chocolate during the festivities like me and pretty much feel like you may literally roll into the new year! It's the way Christmas was intended! 

Anyway, today's post is a review of one of the many lush items I received for Christmas. The 'So White' bath ballistic wa a gift from one of my sisters... She knows me so well... 

I've never tried this bath bomb, but I had heard about it and knew that the 'white' part didn't last for long...oh lush you playful little thing! It definitely did not disappoint. 

The first thing to mention is the scent. This bomb smells just like crisp apples, it's amazing! Even long after it has fizzled away, the scent of apples lingers in my bathroom! It's definitely one of lush's more refreshing scents, up there with avobath, which is gorgeous as well! 

 Once plopped into the water it gets to work straight away, fizzing it's appley goodness around the bath. I must say it's  by no means a spectacle to watch, it's definitely a gentle fizzer, but it lasts AGES! It took almost 15-20 minutes to completely dissolve, which isn't bad at all and definitely gets your money's worth! 

 As you can see from the image above, soon after it starts to dissolve you see glimpses of pink start to emerge, it's a subtle change, and at first I didn't even think it was going to turn the water pink, as I had heard it does, however soon enough, I started to see swirls of a gorgeous rose pink start to grace the tub, and I was soon stepping into a very pink bath indeed! 

I'd really recommend this one if you haven't used 'So White' before, and definitely if you're a fan of crisp, fresh scents. I've actually just looked to find the price, however it isn't on lush's website so it might be limited edition, but I've seen it a few times so hopefully it will come back soon... I for one shall be stocking up on a few of these little gems!

Have you been lushing it up over the holiday? What are your favourites?

Gem Xx 

Favourites | October 2013

Hey strangers! 

It's been so long since I last had the time so sit down and blog. Since starting my PGCE, I've barely had time to go shopping, let alone write about the things i've bought! If any of you are thinking about becoming a teacher, just be warned, it's so much more work than you could imagine, third year was a doddle compared to this, but the end result will be so worth it! 

Anyway, to crack on, I thought I would write an October favourites post for you! 

Ok, so I know that Autumn is in full swing now, but judging from my favourites and most used products this month, you wouldn't think so. It's a bit pink isn't it? I admit I'm trying to hold on to the summer for as long as possible, and as I type the sun from the window is beating down on my back, so I think my holding onto Summer is justified! 

So cracking on, my first product is a Body Shop Body Butter. I've had this in my stash for ages now but have avoided bringing it into my rotation until now as it has two compartments, one for normal and one for dry skin. During the summer this isn't a problem for me, but now that the nights are getting earlier, my skin is in need of a deeper moisturise. One side of the pot contains a lighter, yet still luxuriously creamy butter, while the other side houses a butter so thick that you just know it's doing your dry bits some good! The fragrance of this is what initially drew me to it. Sweet Pea. My Grandma used to grow sweet pea in her garden when I was younger and the smell is out of this world. If you like fragrances on the more floral end of the spectrum, this is for you! There's just something so girly and summery about sweet pea and it's taken me into Autumn with fond memories of the summer. 

I got the Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub as a birthday present from my sister last month, and honestly, the amount I use it you'd think I'd have no lips left! It's the most girly, bubblegum scent imaginable and tastes amazing too!...I may have 'accidentally' put more on my lips than needed just to lick it off! 

I've had this Calvin Klein Lipstick since earlier this year and it generally lives in my handbag as a general lip product that's easy to apply quickly throughout the day, however recently has become more of a staple within my routine. It's such a subtle, nude pink colour that has the most glossy and nourishing feel to it - definitely an underestimated product in my collection! 

Everybody needs a good hair oil. I have been applying this Miracle Oil religiously after I wash my hair. It has taken precedence over all other hair products and is something I literally can't live without at the minute! If you're looking for a hair oil but don't want to break the bank, this alternative to Argon Oil retails at only £3.99 from Aldi. Bargain! 

I have a constant love affair with this Revlon Matte Blush in Rose Rapture. Even when I don't use it for a while, i'll always come back to it. (Can you tell from how 'loved' it looks?) It creates a subtle, matte pink flush to the cheeks and I've found it perfect for the transition from Summer to Autumn make up. 

Ahh Soap and Glory. I've been after a good foot cream to save my feet from the winter blues. I often neglect my poor tootsies during the colder months, covering them in fluffy socks and stuffing them inside boots, but this year I decided to make sure that I looked after them all through the winter, and after hearing rave reviews on this foot cream, I went for the S&G offering; Heel Genius. So far, the green coloured cream has sorted out a particularly dry patch on my heel (nice), and kept my feet feeling soft and supple. I've heard that you can use this as a foot treatment to wear overnight, but I'm yet to try this... 

My Tangle Teezer has been put through it's paces this last month. Rain, wind and shine have taken it's toll on my locks, but thankfully, the Teezer has lived up to it's name, and I no longer dread having to battle a brush through my hair at the end of the day! 

Finally, we have another Body Shop offering. I've been getting a really oily t-zone as of late, and my whole skincare routine has been targeting keeping that oil at bay. (I researched oily skin and good news girls, we're less likely to get wrinkles! Yayyy!) I started using this Tea Tree Pore Minimiser as a primer. The tea tree in the product helps to combat spots - a constant problem with skin on the oiler side, whilst the product itself is mattifying. So far it's working really well, and helps keep shine at bay for a good part of the day. 

What have you been loving this month?