Casual OOTD

Today I am going to meet a friend for coffee, so I thought I would share what I'm wearing...

Dress- Primark

Jacket - Topshop

Scarf - Miss Selfridge

Boots - Zara

Tights & Socks - Primark

Watch- D&G

Bracelet - Guess

My Skincare Routine

Before I begin my skin type is oily/combination & prone to breakouts. I have been using these products and this routine for the past 2 months, and my skin is the best it has ever been. 

Morning Skincare Routine

I always start my skincare routine with a daily scrub in the morning, at the moment I am using the Garnier Skin Naturals Pure Active Fruit Energy Daily Energising Scrub (which I have been using for a while now). I really like a scrub in the morning it is really refreshing and keeps my skin smooth. Then I follow up with  Estee Lauder DayWear - it is oil free and contains SPF 25, I like the cucumber smell and it is very calming for my skin, its moisturising without being heavy or oily. 

Night Time Skincare Routine

At the end of the day, I like to remove my make up with the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, and a muslin cloth or a standard face cloth, I then follow up with the Liz Earle Skin Tonic Spritzer, which I spray on to a cotton pad (dampened with cold water) then wipe over my face to remove any residue, I love the fresh smell of this toner. After I have cleansed my face I then use my Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair II serum (see review here). I don't use moisturiser or eye cream as I don't feel like I need it - it doesn't make any difference to my skin, so what is the point?

Treatments

If I have any blemishes I will use Lush Grease Lightning Spot Treatment - I mostly only use this at night even though it is clear because I find when it tries in it looks a bit white and flaky. I don't love this I feel the pump bottle always give out too much product, and usually the morning after I use it the spot is as red as it would be using nothing. But I want to give it more of a chance - so many people say they like this. 

I will use the Blistex Intensive Moisturiser before I go to bed and first thing in the morning. I love this, it is by far the most hydrating lip moisturiser I have used, if my lips are in any way dry, this is the only thing that will sort that out. Although the only bad thing is that it is very white, so you have to be careful on how much you apply - white lips isn't a great look!

Face Masks

There are 3 face masks I alternate between depending on what my skin needs or how much time I have. I apply the mask then use a dark coloured face cloth to remove it, I then follow up with toner and serum and/or moisturiser.

My most used face mask is the Neutrogenia Visibly Clear 2 in 1 wash mask, I have went through numerous tubes of this. I will reach for this if I am having a lot of breakouts and I want a quick fix, after a few minutes my skin feels like it has had a deep clean, it is smother and really refreshed. I highly recommend this.

The REN Gycolactic Radiance Renewal mask, is the newbie to my routine, I like to use this after any breakouts have cleared, to brighten up my skin, I haven't really used this enough times to give it a proper review. But I will keep you posted. 

Finally I have the Temple Spa Purification Deep Cleansing Mask, I will use this one in place of the Neutrogenia one if I have more time to spare, I will leave this on for about 10-15 mins, and it is great for drawing out impurities, if I have any spots using this makes them less red and smaller. This does exactly what it says on the tin, it deep cleans and purifies the skin. 

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair II Review

I am getting married in 7 months time so I wanted to start a good skincare routine, which is why I bought the Estee Lauder Advanced night repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II, I had heard a lot of reviews and positive feedback on the original formula, so based on that I didn’t mind that it was quite expensive, and purchased the 30ml bottle (didn’t feel comfortable going straight in for the big bottle).

 

Estee Lauder claim…

• Lines and wrinkles look significantly reduced.

• Skin feels smoother, hydrated, stronger. 

• Skin looks younger, radiant, more translucent and even toned.

I have now been using this for about 3 weeks, and although I can’t really comment lines and wrinkles being reduced (I’m only 26 wrinkles aren’t really a problem just yet) I have noticed some positive changes to my skin.

The effects were instant, the first morning I woke up, my skin looked a lot fresher than normal, and definitely smoother and more radiant. And now after 3 weeks I would definitely agree that my skin feels smoother, radiant, more even toned and hydrated, although needing hydration wasn’t really an issue for me (I have oily/combination skin) but I feel like it regulated my skin, it definitely didn’t make it more oily.

Getting rid of acne scars was my main goal with this, I had tried the Estee Lauder Idealist and I don’t feel like that made any difference. However with the advanced night repair they have faded a lot! And I haven’t had one breakout since using this.

Overall I would highly recommend this, I am so happy with the results, it is not just a wrinkle treatment it is so much more. 

Maybelline Baby Lips Review

These were part of a 3 for 2 offer at boots, and I had been looking for a lip balm for my trip so Spain, I thought these would be quite good, I bought the hydrate (because of the SPF) for the day time, and I thought the tinted versions would be good for night time.

I have to say I am totally in love with them! They are very moisturising, and there is a really good colour pay off to the tinted versions - I wasn't expecting much colour at all, I was wrong! After applying Cherry Pie someone even commented on how 'juicy' my lips looked. They are really lovely and are definitely going to be a staple in my make up collection. I am most likely going to go out and buy the other ones in the range. 

Hydrate

Cherry Me

Pink Punch

On the packaging of these it says 'for adult use only' this made me laugh, I can't believe that people would be as stupid as to use these on their baby!

Wedding Guest Outfit

Dress: Dorothy Perkins

Necklace: Dorothy Perkins

Hairband: Accessorize 

Shoes: Next

Sorry about the quality of the pictures! It's something I really need to work on.

Products I've Used Up ( part 2 )

So for part 2 of the products I have used up to end of August 2013....

Hair Products

Tony & Guy Shampoo & Conditioner for Damaged Hair

I really like these, they claim to repair, soften and fortify damaged hair, and I feel that this has been achieved. especially with the conditioner. I have curly frizzy hair and it is quite dry and damaged at the ends, and this has improved the condition, it makes it much smoother and less tangled - so it is a lot easier to get a brush through after washing. I have already repurchased these.

Loreal Elvive Full Restore Repairing Conditioner 

I did have the shampoo in this line as well but I already threw it out - oops. This claims to repair 5 areas - strength, density, vitality, shine & silkiness for me it didn't do any of these things, to be honest there would not be much difference between using this and using no conditioner at all. After washing my hair still felt dry and it was a nightmare to de-tangle! 

Batiste Dry Shampoo, Graffiti

Batiste is my dry shampoo of choice, and graffiti did not disappoint but usually I try a new scent each time - I have repurchased the cherry version this time.

Pantene Pro-v, Volume & Body Hairspray

I used to use this all the time after I had styled my hair, and I really liked it I always repurchased it, but since the discovery of hair oil, hairspray has been pushed to the side, for me its not really needed anymore. But if that was to change this is most likely the one I would repurchase.

Body Products

Sure Compressed Anti-Perspirant, Clear Aqua

This claims to last as long as the 150ml can only in a smaller compressed can, I can't say I agree with this statement, I got through the 2 bottles at about the same rate (it was buy one get one free). However the smaller bottle is definitely handy for throwing into my handbag.

The Body Shop, Lemongrass Deodorising Foot Spray

'instant refreshment for hot and bothered feet' - yes definitely true. I mostly use this at night when I am too hot and can't sleep, I usually have cold hands and feet so when they are warm its really uncomfortable, this cools me down so I can finally get some sleep. 

Make Up

Maybelline, Fit Me Foundation

This was a really nice foundation, I enjoyed using it. It was a medium coverage and matched my skin well, and it was a good balance between glowy and mat. I would consider buying this again.

Carmex Strawberry

Didn't like this, although it did smell nice it tasted horrible and it did not moisturise my lips at all - why is this in my product empties? - it's not completely used up I have had it so long it has gone off, so I thought I would include it as I am throwing it out. I will not be repurchasing this.

Balance Me Rose Otto Intensive Lip Salve

Horrible smell but a great moisturiser. This came free with a magazine and it worked well, but I never would have purchased this myself due to the smell.

Products I've Used Up (part 1)

So here are the products I have completely used up over the last few months - up to the end of August 2013. There are quite a few so I have split the post into 2 parts, in this post Bath & Shower Products and Skincare. In the second post (coming soon) Haircare, Body Products & Make-up.

Bath & Shower

Dove Purely Pampering Bath & Shower Gel

This I really enjoyed using, I loved the smell, it created plenty of bubbles and my skin felt moisturised

Soap & Glory, Sugar Crush Body Scrub

Love Love Love the smell of this, sugary and sweet, and it did do a good job of exfoliating my skin, I will be repurchasing this. 

Treaclemoon, Iced Strawberry Dream, Bath & Shower Gel

Again I enjoyed the smell of this and it created bubbles, but it felt like more of a novelty product, it didn't really do anything for my skin. that being said I would still repurchase it for the smell alone.

Radox Shower Smoothies, Soul Soother

Nothing special, didn't really like the seedy bits in this, they just ended up stuck in the corners of my shower, will not be repurchasing this especially when there are many more shower gel options to explore. 

Skincare

Soap & Glory, Peaches & Clean

I used this cleanser at night to take my make up off, and it did a good job at removing everything - including eye make up. I did like this but I prefer Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish.

Garnier Pure Active fruit Energy, Daily Energising Gel Scrub

This is my go to morning face scrub, this is probably my 3rd bottle and I have already repurchased another. My skin feels clean and refreshed after using this, and it definitely helps keep break-outs at bay.

Estee Lauder, Idealist Even Skin Tone Illuminator

I don't think this has made any difference to my skin at all, I had hoped it would help to fade acne scarring - but it did not do this in the slightest. However it didn't make my skin any worse either, it perhaps even prevented further scarring, but I can't be sure. I will not be repurchasing this.

Stila Skincare, Face the Day Moisturiser

Horrible smell, as with all of the products in this range (I purchased a 5 piece try me set), it did an ok job at moisturising my skin nothing special. I wont be purchasing the full size.

Clinique Moisture Surge 

I quite liked this sample (got it free with a magazine), it moisturised my skin well, I didn't break out, I would consider buying the full size version of this. 

Nivea, Fragrance Free, Cleansing Wipes

I like to use face wipes some nights when I am too lazy to take off my make up before bed. These wipes were ok, not as wet as I would have liked but they did the job, I'm unlikely to repurchase these as I prefer the boots own brand version - which are cheaper and do the same job!