October Favourites

Hello lovelies,

Now I know this is a bit late but I was at home last week and although I thought I would have time to blog, I just didn't. It really hit me just how much I miss being at home, being able to understand what's going on the majority of the time and seeing all my friends and family but heyho...I'll be back at Christmas!

H20 Plus Aqualibrium Marine Toner - $17.00

I picked this up several months ago and it seems to be discontinued in the UK now but it's available in the USA. I tend to lean toward alcohol free toners and this has really helped to keep my skin clear and calm. It's a lovely toner that doesn't strip the skin but removes all traces of dirt. I still have a couple of bottles left... don't know what I'll do when I run out!

Ren T-Zone Balancing Day Fluid 50ml - £26.00

I've only got a 15ml sample size but I have really enjoyed using this and it would definitely be something that I would consider repurchasing. This product claims to reduce shine and balance combination skin and as you all know, mt T-Zone can get very oily throughout the day when wearing makeup. I find that I don't have to worry about my skin getting oily and it really calms my skin down. Ren is a brand that I'm definitely going to explore more.

Seventeen Supreme Shine Lipstick in Bon Bon - £4.99

I only picked this up as I had a half price voucher from the Boots machine and looking at the shade in the bullet, I wouldn't have gone anywhere near it. Bon Bon is a nude pinky brown shade which I really love. This lippie applies semi-sheer but it's easily buildable, it's not quite as glossy as the Mirror Shine range but the colour is more pigmented. I found this lasted about 4 hours before needing reapplying but wore well. What really draws me to this range is that my lips can get quite dry, especially during the Winter months and these are so moisturising. 

Revlon Nail Art Moon Candy in 280 Orbit - £7.99

I remember there being a huge amount of hype when these were released and I never really got it. But now I do. I love the way Revlon have matched up a dark base coat with an iridescent holographic top coat, they make a perfect pairing for Autumn. I will be doing a NOTD post at some point to show you the true effect.

What have been your October Favourites?

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: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

Hello lovelies,

It seems so long since I last reviewed anything! But it would just be plain rude of me not to review this much hyped product... when in France and all that jazz. I'm sure everyone has heard of this product as it's been making regular appearances on the blogosphere but for those who haven't, I'll explain. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo aims to help "reduce the appearance of imperfections and purifies pores. Effaclar Duo is a complete skincare solution that combines 4 active ingredients to act on the 2 major signs of skin with imperfections. Niacinamide and Piroone Olamine help reduce severe local imperfections by purifying the skin and protecting against breakouts developing. The LHA/Linoleic Acid combination helps unclog pores by eliminating dead cells responsible for their obstruction. These active ingredients are combined with soothing and anti-irritating La Roche-Posay thermal spring water." I hear you asking what? Basically a non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic light moisturiser that helps to purify and clear blemish prone skin.

Does it work? I apply this on cleansed skin in the evening, I use it as a moisturiser, some people apply it as a serum. If you had dry-combination skin, I would suggest using it alongside a separate moisturiser. I noticed an instant difference the first morning, my skin felt softer and smoother. I'm not saying it worked miracles over night because no product does, you have to use a product on a long term basis to work out if it's right for you. My skin was gradually improving from day to day but around about the two week usage mark, my skin broke out. I persevered, I felt that the Effaclar Duo was helping to purge my skin and draw all the impurities out. It got worse before it got better. 

I've been using this for around about a month now and I have noticed my pores are starting to feel and appear less clogged, the blemish marks are fading and becoming less noticeable. I feel like this sinks in well, the skin doesn't instantly absorb it but it doesn't leave any residue either. I would class it as lightweight moisturiser for problem skin. I have seen negative reviews but I reckon when it gets to the breakout stage, people stop using it and thus a negative view is formed.

It's something that I will continue to purchase for as long as it works for me. I picked mine up in Parapharmacie in France for 7.99 euro but for those in the UK, it is currently on offer for £9.75 at Boots (normally £13.00)

Have you tried this? Did it work for you?

Review: The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion SPF 15

Hello lovelies,

OMG! How amazing is this weather!

So the sun has decided to grace us with its presence and for the first time this year, I've felt like I needed to crack out the SPF moisturiser. Now I'm not going to bleat on about the importance of wearing sun cream because we all know it and yes, I forget sometimes too and end up looking like a lobster. Bad me.

So as I slap on some moisturiser every morning, I thought I could incorporate sun protection and moisturiser into one. I know I should be using a higher SPF in the sunshine and I do if I know I'm going to be outdoors during the day but I just use this for everyday standard use.

I picked this up a while ago and never got round to using it. It claims to be "An easily absorbed non-clogging, oil-free, hydrating and cooling moisture lotion with a sun protection factor of 15. Innovative technology controls excess sebum and shine while delivering essential moisture to areas most in need."

I found this to be quite light and easily absorbed. With SPF moisturisers, I find that they can take longer to sink in and I like them to be quick as I put my makeup or a primer on straightaway after. I find some SPF products can leave a white residue on the face but this is easily absorbed and perfect for applying makeup on top.

I tend to pick lotions over creams for my skin as they can be too heavy. This is exactly as I would wish for oily skin, it's light and helps to keep the oil at bay. I've been using it for a while and yes, I still get the odd breakout but I have definitely seen an improvement in my skin's appearance. 

Fragrance wise, it doesn't have the typical seaweed scent and tends to lean closer to a sunscreen scent. This doesn't bother me as it only lasts a matter of minutes. I wouldn't say it's a favourite but if you're looking for something that mattifys and has a SPF, this is a purse friendly option.

What's your favourite SPF moisturiser?

Review: Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Shine Control Day Moisturiser

Hello lovelies,

I'm always on the lookout for products that claim to treat excess oil and shine. After spotting this in Boots, I thought I'd give it a go, I've tried the face mask from the same range and found it really soothed my skin.

I have combination skin which is oily, pretty much smack bang down the centre of my face. This moisturiser jumped out at me claiming to blot up excess oil and excess shine.  I wanted something that would clear up my skin and banish excess oil, so this looked to be a good bet.

I apply a squidge of this to my face after toning, and just rub it in gently, I find quite a lot of moisturisers can be too thick and heavy for my face, so I tend to choose something that has a lighter consistency such as a gel or a lotion. Instead of sitting on top of the skin, this sinks in almost immediately and you're good to go.

Although this does leave you're skin looking matte, I do still like to apply a primer over the top as it helps to make my makeup last just a little bit longer. I'm pretty sure if your skin wasn't as oily as mine, you could easily get away with not applying a primer as this has a mattifying effect.

My only bug bear is the scent, I find it a bit too overwhelming first thing in the morning. As you may have guessed, the fragrance is tea tree and witch hazel, I find the witch hazel comes through stronger and is slightly unpleasant. Again that's my personal preference, some might like it!

I wouldn't say it has helped to clear up my skin to a great extent, yet I do think it's a good buy if you're on a budget.

Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Shine Control Day Moisturiser 75ml is available from Boots for £3.59 and can often be found on 3 for 2 offers.