Review: M&S Autograph Mattifying Primer

Hello lovelies,

This primer was the very first that I tried, I've tried others, yet this is the one that I always end up coming back too. I feel like a very loyal Autograph primer user, currently I'm saving it to use on long days and evenings out because it's not that easy to pick up in France, but when I pop home next week, I'm definitely going to stock up.

The mattifying primer comes in a 15ml tube which is clear, so you can see in advance when you need to re-stock, there's nothing worse than finding first thing in the morning that you've come to the end of a product and don't have a backup - first world problems.

I pop this on in the morning or before a night out after I've moisturised. The formula is super light and it absorbs so quickly. There's none of that waiting around for 5 minutes whilst you wait for it to absorb, you can pop your makeup on almost instantly. It creates a smooth base for applying makeup and I notice my skin looks better - flawless, when I've used it.

I look for primers that are oil-free or help to regulate oil, as through the day I turn from glowy to an oily mess and the longer that I can go before needing to top up my makeup the better. This primer ticks the boxes, it's oil-free and helps to keep your skin shine-free. This is great for oily-combination skin as it contains a sebum regulating ingredient which helps to keep oil under control. 

It's definitely a product for those of us with oily-combination skins and a staple in my makeup bag.

Autograph Mattifying Primer is available online and in certain M&S stores for £12.00 (currently on 3 for 2, which covers hundreds of items).

Have you tried any items from the Autograph range?

September Favourites

Hello lovelies,

I swear I say this every month but it has just flown by, I've been in France nearly 4 weeks now and I'm loving it. I can't say it's been a smooth journey but I'm getting to the point now where I feel organised and happy to be here. It's my first time living away from home and yes, it's difficult and new, but I wouldn't give up the opportunity I've got. I've met so many great people and our paths would never have crossed without me doing this. I know I'm rambling but yano... My September Favourites were surprisingly easy to pick, I didn't come to France with much and I'm waiting for some items I've ordered to be delivered, so expect a big haul next week.

M&S Limited Collection Tinted Moisturiser 30ml - £5.00

I've had this quite a while and just not used it. For some reason when I was packing I threw it in my bag and before I went to the beach the other week, I pulled it out. My skin has improved but not to the extent that I would feel happy enough to go barefaced in front of people that I've only known a couple of weeks. And I know I should be confident enough to say this is me and this is what I look like but I'm not. This provided a light coverage and just perked my skin up, I popped it on in the morning before heading to the beach and the shade, light, is probably a bit too light for me now, so I used bronzer on top, it stayed put all day in 30 degrees plus. I prefer to use this over a foundation in hot weather as they tend to melt and leave my face just looking like an oily mess. A big thumbs up from me.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream 30ml - £8.00

I have no idea where this came from. Honestly. L'Occitane is somewhere I wouldn't tend to go into, to me it looks expensive and I haven't tried any of their products until now. With living in France, I've had to learn how to do the washing up - it's never ending but that's another story! My hands have definitely felt the aftermath, they've been dry and flaky. This is everything I look for in a hand cream, it's so nourishing, sinks in beautifully and doesn't leave any sticky residue, which is the reason I don't use hand creams often, I hate that sticky film.  

Nivea Sun Protect & Bronze SPF30 200ml - £14.99 (currently on BOGOF at Boots) 

You're all going to think I'm odd putting a sun cream into my favourites going into Autumn but if you're going on holiday, stock up. This gives you the most perfect tan without burning, it's so easy to apply and isn't thick or sticky. For those who think SPF30 is high, I still got a tan wearing it, I'm not going to rant on about how important sun cream is, as you all know but please wear it for your skins sake. This keeps your skin safe and you get a great tan. 

Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion - £11.99

I may have to say I like this more than my beloved L'Oreal Telescopic. I just love it, it gives such a great result, I have long lashes anywhere and this just boosts the volume and doesn't clump. Lashes are significantly lengthened and thickened, yet they still look natural. It stays put all day and I couldn't ask for anymore, I've definitely been won over. 

What have been your favourites this month? Have you tried any of these?

Review: Autograph Ultra Shine Twist-Up Lip Colour in Apricot

Hello lovelies,

And here we are in July. I've got several lovely things lined up this month including quite a few shopping trips, I'm looking forward to spending time with my friends who have finished uni and are back at home. I just hope the weather is good enough for days out in the Peak District, long lunches and barbecues.

Today, my post is about the Autograph Lip Crayon in Apricot, I tend to wear a lot more lip colours in Summer and branched out from my usual pink to a gorgeous shimmery toned orange. Apricot is a gorgeous sheer coral colour, which would flatter all skin tones and introduce a pop of colour. These Autograph pencils come in eight alluring shades ranging from Plum to a Nude Shine.

These twist-up pencils are definitely another dupe for the Clinique Chubby Sticks, they require no sharpening and you just simply twist the bottom of the crayon. These crayons give not only colour, but shine and moisture, they don't dry your lips out.

I adore the texture, it feels like you're wearing a balm but they are somewhere in between a lip gloss and a lipstick. If you're not used to wearing colour on your lips, these are a brilliant way to experiment, the colour is sheer and buildable, allowing you to create different looks. I even pop the Apricot over an orange lipstick just to tone down its brightness a bit.

Longevity wise, these are great. Of course, when you eat, these rub off but they're so easy and quick to reapply.

Autograph Ultra Shine Twist-Up Lip Colour is available exclusively from M&S Beauty nationwide and online for £9.50.

Have you tried any of the other shades available?

June Haul

Hello lovelies,

Now I'm meant to be on a spending ban but as you can see from the title, it's not really working. I think I read so many reviews of different products and then convince myself that I really need them in my life. I have been good to a certain extent, I stopped myself from buying the Latest in Beauty Glamour Box, I showed some online restraint but I work in a large shopping centre so when I get there a bit early, I always end up going for a browse. And it's just so easy to buy when it's right in front of you. I thought you might like to see what I've picked up recently.

I recently found out that one of the girls I work with is an Avon Rep. For those who don't know what Avon is, it's basically a company who sell beauty, health and cosmetic products online and through representatives. Any one can become a representative and sell Avon products through brochures, I think the Reps receive an amount of commission depending on their sales. So having never tried any Avon product, I thought I would just stock up on a few items that I was running out of. I picked up the Moroccan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner, Moroccan Oil is meant to moisturise your hair leaving it smooth and silky but doesn't leave a build up or make it greasy. I really look forward to trying these and seeing if they are any good. I've been using a curl heat protector spray instead of a straightening heat protector, so I was in desperate need for a new one.

MUA Pistachio Ice Cream just jumped out at me, it's a lovely mint green and I know there's been much debate over whether MUA have copied Essie, I think they have with the packaging but it's not going to stop me buying their products and I think they are each aiming at a different market.

I had a No7 voucher burning a hole in my pocket again, every time I get rid of one, they give me another and I can't not use it. I've never used bronzing pearls before, I tend to just stick to a pressed powder bronzer, but I think the colour might be nice for summer.

I also had a voucher for M&S Beauty, so again had to spend it! I've used the primer before and I am really impressed by it. I want to try Benefit Porefessional but this is the second time I've bought it, it's a tiny tube but seems to last ages. I'm wanting to see how well the Autograph Lip Crayon compares with the No7 and the Rimmel Lip Crayons. I picked this up in Apricot, which is a lovely orange coral with a hint of shimmer running through. After trying the Apivita Green Clay Mask, I couldn't wait to pick up another type of mask.

Avon Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo - £1.70

Avon Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner - £1.70

Avon Advance Techniques Heat Protection Styler - £2.25

MUA Nail Polish Pistachio Ice Cream - £1.00

Boots No7 Perfectly Bronzed Bronzing Pearls - £9.95

APIVITA Express Beauty with Apricot Gel 2 x 8ml Sachets - £3.00

Autograph Ultra Shine Twist-Up Lip Colour - £9.50

Autograph Mattifying Primer - £12.00

Have you bought any of these recently? How do you stick to a spending ban?

Tag: How Much is My Face Worth?

Hello lovelies,

So I've seen this tag floating around the bloggersphere and decided to do it myself. This is where you add up all the products that you have used on your face for that day. Obviously, you're not using all the product up in one go but it is just the overall cost of your face. I've decided to leave out my skincare routine and just get straight into the make up.

Face

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in shade 103 True Ivory - £8.99

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Shade 2 Fair - £4.19

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 001 Translucent - £3.99

Seventeen Instant Glow Bronzing Powder in Medium - £4.59

M&S Autograph Pure Colour Powder Blush in Coral - £6.00

Brushes

Japonesque Travel Powder Brush (No longer available) - £30.00

Real Techniques Buffing Brush  (Part of the Core Collection)- £20.99

Eco Tools Bamboo Blush Brush - £7.99

Eyes

Rimmel Match Perfection Skin Tone Adapting Concealer in 010 Ivory - £5.99

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in 002 Hazel - £2.99

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara in Magnetic Black - £10.99

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Pencil in 001 Black - £3.99

Lips

Boots No.7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Delicate Pink - £9.00

Total - £119.70

That's shocking!

I think the cost of the brushes plays a huge part in that amount. Seeing that amount isn't going to make me change what I buy, I love everything that I use and it does make me feel better about myself. Some of the products have been picked up on offers and it's not like I've spent all that at once. This sounds increasingly like I'm trying to justify it to myself?

How much is your face worth?

Review: Apivita Express Beauty Green Clay Mask

Hello lovelies,

In the UK, I don't think Apivita are that well known as a brand, so I'll just start by explaining who they are.

Apivita were Greece's first natural skincare brand in 1979 and since then have launched several products and spread across 12 countries. Apivitas' ethos is to be friendly as possible to your skin and the environment. All their products are free from parabens, silicones and propylene glycol (the naughty stuff!).

Now I spotted these in the M&S Beauty Hall, and knew nothing at all about the brand. The sleek packaging 

appealed to me and my skin was being a nightmare so I'd picked up a sachet. The Apivita Express Beauty Green Clay Mask is designed to cleanse the skin as the green clay deeply penetrates the pores removing excess oil and dirt, eliminating and preventing blackheads.

Although I have combination skin, I find clay masks can sometimes be too drying, sucking all the moisture out of the skin. What really sold this to me that unlike other masks, this didn't sting at all, or make my skin feel dry, it went on completely smoothly and had a cooling effect. I left this on for about 20 minutes, it recommends 10 minutes but I never follow instructions.

When I rinsed it off, it came off easily, sometimes you feel like you're scrubbing away at your skin trying to get a mask off which just ends up aggravating your skin rather than calming it. My skin felt smooth and clean, the mask contains aloe, lavender essential oils and wheat proteins which help leave skin smooth and radiant.I can't say after one use that it has helped with blackheads but my skin does look brighter. I think I will continue using this just to see the effects and whether it lives up to its claims.

When you purchase the sachet size, you actually receive two sachets and I would say there is enough for a couple of applications from each. Apivita make a vast range of face masks, so even if you don't have combination skin, one of the others may suit you. 

In the UK, you can pick up Apivita Express Beauty Green Clay Mask from M&S for £3 for the sachets or a 40ml tube for £13. If your store doesn't have a Beauty Hall, you can order it for free delivery to your local store and pick it up.

In the USA, you can pick up 12 sachets for $30 from Sephora  

Have you tried any Apivita products? What would you recommend?