Review: Boots Botanics All Bright Purifying Face Scrub

Hello lovelies,

Hope you've all had a lovely bank holiday. I spent a sunny afternoon in the park, having a lazy day. I'd read quite a few reviews about the Botanics range before buying into it but nothing on this product. I'm always a bit wary buying an "own" brand product when I've seen nothing on it and I think within the Botanics range, there has been hits and misses but I thought hey-ho, I'll give it a go.

The All Bright Purifying Face Scrub is a cream based scrub containing apricot kernels and natural AHA's. I love the packaging - the colours and it's such a handy size. The flip top lid is perfect in the shower and it has a small opening so the product doesn't splurge everywhere.

I use this in the shower every few days and you can feel it working. My problem is the apricot seeds, I find them quite abrasive and just  too rough. Now my skin can be quite sensitive, it doesn't irritate it as such but I find it helps to bring all the gunk to the surface TMI. It certainly adds an extra glow to my skin but I don't think it's helped to clear it up at all, which is slightly disappointing. And I don't like feeling like I'm sandpapering my face.

I probably won't repurchase this, I just feel a bit disappointed by it. I don't like being negative about a product but there's nothing that makes me go ooooh wow! It may be more suited to dry skin.

If I haven't put you off it, the Boots Botanics All Bright Purifying Face Scrub 75ml is available for £2.66 (normally £3.99)

Which exfoliator do you us?.

Feelunique Sale Picks

Hello lovelies,

Hope you've all had a top notch weekend! I've spent mine trying to do some last minute jobs before I go to France. Only ten days to go eekkkkk! In between errands, I've been naughty and browsing the feelunique sale, how can I resist a discounted beauty product. I haven't put an order in just yet but these are definitely on my wishlist.

Nuxe Best Seller Set : £21.60

The best seller set contains a Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil 50ml, Reve de Miel Creme Mains et Ongles Hand and Nail Cream 75ml and a Reve de Miel Stick Levres Hydratant Lip Moisturizing Stick 4g. I picked up some Nuxe products in my August Haul and so far so good. The Dry Oil has been on my wishlist for ages as it's a multi purpose product and would be prefect to pack into a travel bag.

Elie Saab Le Parfum Eau de Parfum : £30.40

I'm quite happy with my little perfume collection but the other day, I was flicking through an old Glamour magazine and found a little sample of this. I instantly fell in love, it's such a pretty floral scent but quite deep as well. I later found out that my best friend wears this, so I sneakily used some of hers!

GlamGlow Super-Mud Clearing Mask : £35.99

This  mask fascinates me, I've seen such glowing reviews on how it has performed skin miracles and I've been so close to purchasing it. It's meant to be the go-to product of the rich and famous but I'm a bit wary if it doesn't work for me and it promises such big things.

Tangle Teezer Original Professional Detangling Hairbrush : £9.18

There's nothing I can say about this apart from I love it. I already own one but can't find it! This has worked miracles for my hair, I find it doesn't pull or snag and my hair is left softer and easier to manage. I'm going to have one last search and if I can't  find it, I shall pick this up.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Lipstick : £19.98

I have nothing other to say than how beautiful are these! The packaging, the shades, I just want these to be mine.

Have you picked anything up in the feelunique sale?

Review: Seventeen Supreme Shine Lipstick in Day Glo

Hello lovelies,

I think we all know what I love a bright lip colour, anything that is bold and vibrant which makes a statement. Some people prefer a bright eye colour but I would choose a lip colour every time. I'm a huge lover of the Seventeen Mirror Shine Lipsticks so when I picked this up, I had high expectations.

I adore the packaging, the silver is very sleek and weighty, making them appear a lot more expensive than what they actually are. Seventeen Supreme Shine Lipsticks are available in 12 shades and obviously, I gravitated toward the bright end of the spectrum. The swatches on the Boots website aren't very realistic of the actual colours so I would say, if you can, nip into store and check the colours out.

Day Glo is definitely a bright summer shade which adds a pop of colour that instantly brightens the face. It's a bright blue based, pink lipstick that makes your teeth look whiter (added bonus!). Seventeen Supreme Shine Lipsticks aren't as glossy as the Mirror Shine Lipsticks but have a gorgeous sheer application and are so shiny. It feels slightly waxy on application but applies pretty smoothly and lasts well. You could wear this sheer or build it up to a more opaque colour.

I find this such a flattering colour that most skin tones would be able to pull off. My lips were left nicely moisturised, I find some lipsticks just dry my lips out but this lasts around about 4 hours before I after to reapply and it wears off evenly leaving more of a stain effect.

The Seventeen Supreme Shine Lipsticks are definitely a good everyday budget lippie. 

They can be found at Boots for £4.99.

What do you think to this colour?

Review: Simple Kind to Eyes Soothing Eye Balm

Hello lovelies,

Now you may think I only did my August haul post the other day, how can I already be reviewing this product. But the reality is, I've had it for a couple of weeks and just threw it into the haul. I always use a product for a little while to really get a feel for it

My Champneys Eye Cream ran out, thank goodness, so I needed to pick up a new eye cream. Eye cream is pretty much the only thing I don't have a stash of, I'm only 21 so don't need anything to tighten and target crows feet but I like a light cream that refreshes and just helps to lighten the dark circles I get if I don't have enough sleep. I'm not at the point where I personally think I need to invest in a good moisturising eye cream so just pick up whatever is on offer or takes my fancy. And I'm so glad this did.

The eye area is extremely sensitive and mine are probably more sensitive too most, I react to whatever gets thrown on that area. Simple promote themselves as being fragrance free and full of lovely kind to skin ingredients. According to Simple, it contains Pro Vitamin B5, Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Bisabolol, all of which are friendly to skin and have moisturising properties. This sounded promising.

So when I came to use it, it was exactly what I had been for. It was moisturising and light, I find most eye creams can just be too. I tend to dot the eye cream on my forefinger and that pat it round my under eye area. It has a thin consistency and is quickly absorbed. I don't get puffiness under my eyes so can't comment but after a couple of weeks usage, the darkness is definitely a lot lighter. 

If you want an eye cream that is going to target and correct, this isn't for you. But if you want to start adding an eye cream into your beauty regime, something that is light and refreshes, I would without a doubt, say that you should try this.

Simple Kind to Eyes Soothing Eye Balm is available in Superdrug for £2.66 (normally £3.99)

Can you recommend any budget friendly eye creams?

August Haul

Hello lovelies,

So I sort of went shopping again... I know, I know. I was meant to be on a saving mission but I'd had my eye on these for a long time and they were all on one type of offer or another, they just landed in my basket and I accidentally paid for them.

It does look like loads but this lot came to under £30!

L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Micellar Solution 200ml : £2.48 (normally £4.99)

Urban Fudge Iced Raspberry & Vanilla Hairspray : £2.47 (normally £4.99)

H20 Plus Aqualibrium Marine Toner : £2.00 (these were on clearance in M&S but are normally £14)

Revlon Nail Art Moon Candy in Orbit : 2 for £10 (normally £7.99)

Simple Kind to Eye Balm : £2.66 (normally £3.99)

Revlon Lash Potion Grow Luscious Mascara Black Waterproof : 2 for £10 (normally £9.99)

Nuxe Anti Imperfection Care: £5 (normally £19.50 but on clearance in M&S)

Nuxe Anti-Shine Fluid : £5 (normally £19.50 but on clearance in M&S)

H20 Plus Face Oasis Shine Neutralising Gel : £2 (normally £27.50)

Told you they were bargains! I can't wait to try these out.

Have you picked up any bargain beauty recently?

Review: Boots No7 Skin Illuminator Radiance Boosting Beauty Fluid

Hello lovelies,

This little beauty product is something completely new on my radar. I've used powder and balm highlighters before but never something like this. I'm always a  bit wary of using highlighters as I'm never going to be someone who mixes it in with a foundation as my skin is already glowy enough.

The No7 Skin Illuminator Radiance Boosting Beauty Fluid promises a fantastic radiance boosting finish. It contains particles of iridescent shimmer which reflect the light leaving you with a perfect healthy glow. I pop this on the bridge of my nose and cheekbones and it looks beautiful, so natural. I find this to be a good alternative to a powder highlighter as they can wear off throughout the day and this just draws attention to the places the sun hits on the face. I picked up the colour pink as I found peach a bit too dark for my skin tone.

One negative that I have to mention is the packaging. Now I like the transparent squeezy bottle, perfect to see how much product you have left...when you need to repurchase. But the brush applicator is terrible. It's not only unhygienic as the instructions on the box state you can't wash it but you can't control how much product comes out making it difficult to apply. I tend to squeeze a bit out on the back of my hand and either apply it with the Real Techniques Stippling Brush or with mu fingers. I just don't see the point of the brush applicator and if you've read other reviews, this seems to be the one sticking negative.

Apart from the packaging issue, which I really hope No7 reconsider, this product is lovely. If you're looking for something natural that brightens your skin without looking cakey then you should seriously consider this.

Boots No7 Skin Illuminator Radiance Boosting Beauty Fluid 30ml is available for £11.00 

Do you have any affordable highlighter recommendations? 

Magazine Freebies #3

Hello lovelies,

I can not believe how quick the last few months have been! So here we are again...

1. Elle: £4.00 - 50ml bottle of Bumble & Bumble Thickening Hairspray worth £7.50

2. Essentials Magazine : £2.99 - Mandara Spa Body Lotion worth £5 (only available in Sainsburys)

3. Company : £2.50 - Free black liquid eyeliner and pencil duo

4. Grazia: £1.95 - Free Starbucks Refresha Drink

5. Harper's Bazaar: £4.20 - Free Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Face and Eye Serums, together worth £13

I think I'll be picking up Elle as I really want to try Bumble & Bumble. I've heard such good stuff about their Surf Spray.

Will you be popping any of these in your basket?

Top 5 Winter Coats

Hello lovelies,

Now today, my post is my top 5 winter coat picks. Now I know you're thinking it's only August but there's method in my madness. Every year, the shops start bringing us winter coats in the middle of summer and I spot one and think I'll get it later on when the weather has changed. I go back and they've sold out. I'm in desperate need for a coat that will see me through A/W as my oh-so-beautiful bargain French Connection mulberry coat is on its last legs and the time has come for us to go out separate ways.

(From left to right)

M&S Collection Double Breasted Bouclé Biker Coat with Wool: £89.00
I adore this, I've never seen anything quite like it before. A biker style jacket incorporated into a Winter Coat. The angled zip is so edgy and would work well open or closed. It's not clear on the picture but there's faux leather which lines the edge of the zip and just adds a bit more detail.

Next Khaki Trim Parka: £75
The link on the Next website won't work but it's the first one in the listing. This is a more casual A/W coat and would see you through the seasons. It has a detachable lining so could be worn into Spring, I would team it up with a girly dress and boots.

Warehouse Double Breasted Reefer Coat: £95
This isn't something I would normally go for but on a trip round Debenhams, this jumped out at me. I love the tailored structured look. It's so beautifully made, excellent quality and would definitely last a few years.

Topshop Ponte Biker Jacket: Was £65 now £30
This jacket has a lovely oversized feel to it, perfect to sling on with jeans and a snood. It would look fabulous with layering underneath it in the Winter.

Zara Houndstooth Coat: £109.00
This is my splurge coat but yet it still looks more expensive than what it it. Zara always come up with exquisitely crafted coats and this one is no exception. 

Have you started looking for a coat yet? Or is it just too early?

Tuesday's Thought #2

Hello lovelies,

I know my well intentioned plan of one every week didn't quite work so I intend on doing a thought once a month and that way we aren't overloaded with my witterings.

(bellemaison23.com)

"I don’t regret the things I've done, I regret the things I didn't do when I had the chance"

For me, this means seize every moment and make the most of every situation. Yes, sometimes you think should I really do that or what will happen? But you just have to have the confidence within yourself to go for it. Far too many people have the attitude of well I might regret doing that but how do you know unless you try something.

My only regrets are not doing things when I had the chance, I may have been scared or let other people change my mind. But now I'll never know. And that's what I regret the most. The outcome may have not been a positive one but at least I would have explored the eventuality and no doubt, got through the situation and came out the other side, a much wiser person. I think in life, it's our experiences and the people we encounter who shape who we are.

I by no means want to tell people how to live their lives but sometimes you have to take a moment and say screw it, this is what I want to do. Be selfish for once.

Have you had any similar moments? I'd like to know.

Review: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Gel Cleanser

Hello lovelies,

As you all know I've really been getting into skincare and I'm prepared to pay that little bit more for it. French skincare is renowned for being the best in the World, it is known for its highly effective formulas and its reasonable prices. And as I'm moving to France in a month's time- eeekkkkk!- I decided that it was time to work out which products I would stock up on whilst over there. 

The Effaclar range from La Roche-Posay is aimed at people with oily/sensitive skin. My skin is combination, I have an oily T- zone but dry above my eyebrows of all places, so I have to be careful with what I use. I don't want anything that is going to be too drying but neither anything that is going to aggravate my skin. This La Roche-Posay range is designed for blemish prone skin so I decided to try it anyway after loving their moisturising fluid from the same range. Too often I find products that are labelled as being gentle, they turn out to be ineffective and I want to see a change.

The Effaclar Purifying Gel gently purifies the skin by using specially selected ingredients that are designed to be kind to sensitive skin. It eliminates excess oil and sebum (the stuff that causes spots) leaving skin squeaky clean. 

(Ignore all the marks inside the lid, it has been inside my bathroom for ages!)

I use this wash every night to take my makeup off. I wet my face and then rub the gel in, which creates a slight foam, I then wipe off with a hot flannel. I find this removes all my facial makeup and light eye makeup. It isn't designed to be a 2 in 1 remover so it doesn't disappoint me that sometimes I have to follow up with a specific eye makeup remover. You only need to use the smallest amount of gel and it lathers up crazily. 

I've probably been using this for 3 months + and I have noticed a difference in my skin. It's a lot clearer and I visibly have less blemish marks. I don't want to say it's all down to this product as I have been chopping and changing my skincare routine, drinking more water etc. But I definitely feel that it helps to keep breakouts at bay. It leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh, I don't get any tightness.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Gel Cleanser 200ml is available at larger Boots store or available online at boots.com for £10.21. This may seem a little steep but it seriously goes a long way. If you're struggling with blemishes, I would without a doubt recommend this.

Have you tried this? Is there any French skincare that you could recommend me to try?

Review: Boots Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner

Hello lovelies,

I've always thought that toner was the last step to cleansing - to remove any residue or makeup left behind. So I have never been too fussy over what I use and would pick up anything on offer but as I've been getting more into skincare, I found out via Caroline Hirons blog, check it out if your haven't already, that toner has other functions. I wouldn't say my skin was particularly sensitive but with combination skin, I tend to try to avoid toners with alcohol in as they dry your skin out. But this is an exception to the rule.

I love any product that claims to be brightening, I tend to use quite harsh products on my skin to keep it under control and anything that can inject a bit of radiance or a glow back into my face is definitely on my radar. I just love having a fresh and healthy looking complexion. You may already know that products which contain AHA's (Alpha Hydroxy Acids, yes I most definitely looked that up!) are amazing for boosting our skin. They work by chemically exfoliating the top layer of skin away, revealing newer fresh skin underneath. Most products that contain them are out of my price range, so when I spotted this little gem, I was all over it.

Botanics claims that 'this revitalising toner helps visibly tighten pores and instantly brighten skin'. Now those are some pretty strong promises and I think it lives up to them. A toner is never going to dramatically change your skin but I think working in conjunction with other products, this freshens and brightens up your face. I tend to use this every night after cleansing, using a few drops on a cotton pad all over my face. I use a different toner in the morning that doesn't contain alcohol just to set up my face for the day. 

The natural AHA's, which I believe come from fruit acids, help to tighten up your pores and brighten up your skin. I think this is a cheaper alternative to products such as Pixi Glow Toner as long as you don't mind the alcohol. It will be something that I repurchase and I don't say that about a lot of products! 

Botanics have not long ago redone their packaging and changed some of their formulations. I know with some of Botanics other products, there has been mixed reviews regarding formulas but I have no qualms over this toner. 

Boots Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner is available in Boots at a purse friendly price of £3.99 for 250ml but is currently on offer for an even more affordable £2.69. Bargain!

Do you use toner? Have you found any drugstore hidden gems?

July Favourites

Hello lovelies,

Now I know this is a bit late but life has been a bit chaotic the last few weeks. I've been working two jobs, had a chest infection, a sprained shoulder and really struggled to find a spare minute to just sit down. With the sunshine appearing, I've found that I've wanted to use fewer products and only have a small favourites this month!

Charles Worthington Sunshine Leave-In UV-Protection Spray, wowza that's a mouthful, is literally a holiday in a bottle. It has a gorgeous fresh fragrance made up of melon, peach and all things tropical. It's a light spritz that protects your locks from the sun which causes colour to fade and drys your hair out. An added bonus is the shine which vitalises hair without leaving it looking oily or greasy. I spray this both onto damp hair and dry hair and it leaves my hair feeling more manageable and adds protection. We are often quick to slather ourselves in sun cream but forget about our tresses. Now the bottle I currently have is 150ml but I think I bought it when they were discontinuing the larger sizes, so it's only available in a handy travel size 50ml bottle now which is perfect for hand luggage or to chuck in your bag on a day out. Available from Boots for £1.99.

I've had The Body Shops Vitamin E Face Mist for yonks and go through phases of loving it and then not being bothered but it has been a life saver in this weather! My skin tends to look oily in this weather and I find this mist perfect to just set makeup or to freshen up. It instantly refreshes and gives you a hit of moisture. I also find that sometimes after I've powered, my makeup can look a little bit cakey and this just takes the edge off it and my makeup looks natural. There's nothing worse in hot weather having your face melting away and turning into an oily mess. Available at The Body Shop for £8.00

And that's it for this month. Told y'all it would be short and sweet. I don't feel like there's any point in me throwing in products just for the sake of it, I want to be open and honest with you.

I'd love to hear what are your summer saviors?