Review: H&M Argan Oil and Rosehip Oil Hydrating Face Mask

As a big fan of face masks, I picked up one of the H&M masks a few weeks ago. My skin was quite dry and dehydrated, so I chose the hydrating mask which contains argan oil, rosehip oil and shea and cocoa butter. At £1.99 I didn't think too much of it.

Last week, I decided to use the H&M face mask instead of my usual sheet masks. The result? Not great. Moments after I had applied the mask to my face, my eyes started watering and itching.

Considering I had applied the mask nowhere near my eyes, I was confused as to why I was in tears. I managed to leave the face mask on for a few minutes before I washed it off using a wet flannel and warm water. My skin felt smooth at first but I had to apply moisturiser soon after as my skin felt quite dry. Overall, I wouldn't repurchase this face mask again. I'm not sure what ingredients caused my eyes to water but unfortunately it's put me off trying out the rest of the masks available at H&M.


Have you tried any of the H&M face masks?



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You Beauty Discovery - May (CEW Awards)

This month's YBD box is centred around the winners of the 2015 CEW beauty awards. From the award winning product selection, I chose the Angel Face Cloth by The Konjac Sponge Company and The Body Shop Miracle Solid Wild Argan Oil.

The Angel Face Cloth claims to be kinder than a muslin cloth on your skin, and I'll be testing it out with my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish to see if it's true. The Wild Argan Oil is a solid oil for use on the body and hair. To be honest, because the Argan Oil is not very high on the ingredients list, I'm not sure how it would compare to a pure (or more concentrated version) of Argan Oil. Nevertheless, I'll be using it as a hair oil on the ends as I recently dip dyed my hair and the bleach hasn't left my hair in great condition.

Both products in the box are full size and have a combined retail value of £19.99, which is amazing considering the YBD box is only £6.95. I honestly cannot fault YBD for their value for money, which is not always the case with some of the other beauty subscription boxes available. The extra's included in this months box are a sample vial of Jimmy Choo Man EDT and a sachet of Dr Organic's Organic Snail Gel. Also included in the box is a 20% off selected beauty and fragrance at M&S, which I'll definitely be making use of.

Have you subscribed to any beauty boxes?



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Library of Fragrance - Oud // Fireplace [review]

Library of Fragrance launched in the UK late last year, with 101 scents available here in the UK via their website and a selection also available at Boots. I had the opportunity to try out two from the range and decided on Oud and Fireplace. As much as I love that Summer is coming, these scents remind me of Autumn and Winter. Not of a specific moment but just that general feeling of cosiness, with the candles lit and listening to the rain fall on the rooftop.

Fireplace

The method of using wood for heating homes and offices is almost as old as time. It was during the Victorian era, however, when fireplaces started gaining popularity. During that time, people felt that in addition to the production of heat, fireplaces added a touch of class, creating a cosy, homely atmosphere. The Library of Fragrance has captured a small part of this tradition, with the wonderful, comforting scent of the fireplace on a cold winter’s evening. It smells exactly like your jumper after sitting for hours in front of a roaring wood-burning fire.

 

Oud

Oud is also called agarwood. It comes from the wood of the tropical agar (aquilaria) tree, believed to have originated in the Assam region of India, and spread from there throughout Southeast Asia. When the wood of this tree gets infected with a certain mould variety (phialophora parasitica), it reacts by producing a precious, dark and fragrant resin from which this precious perfume ingredient is derived. Oud is highly valued by perfumers for its sweet, woody, aromatic and complex scent. It is a classical note in perfumery, most often used as a base note. Our Oud fragrance refines and isolates the oud note into a wearable, single note scent, whilst maintaining its full, rounded and enveloping nature: beautiful worn alone, or layered with other scents to add rich, mysterious depth.

Both are fairly strong fragrances, and while I appreciate wearing them individually, I think they're best when layered. The combination of musky Oud and smoky fire logs, is definitely my personal favourite, and the two scents create a sweet yet rich blend, perfect for evenings out. It also has a slight masculine tone, which completely goes against my normal girly-vanilla based perfumes, but it's something that I can't get enough of.

There's no need to imagine creating your own personal fragrance, with Library of Fragrance you can choose individual scents and layer them to for a bespoke cologne. At £15 for 30ml, they give you the opportunity to create your own custom blend without breaking the bank. There are 28 fragrances available at Boots (currently on offer at 2 for £25) and 101 fragrances available online here. I know that I'll be popping over to Boots soon to pick up a few more scents, with my eyes on Baby Powder, Vanilla Ice Cream and Musk #7.

Will you be layering up your fragrances for a unique scent?



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Note: This post contains PR samples however all views and opinions are entirely my own. 

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Review: Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil

A super belated happy new year! I can't believe we're already mid-way through January!


I got my first bottle of the Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil some time ago in the first BBB Beauty Edit Box, and have repurchased a few times since then. Every year, during the winter, my cheeks become really dry and flaky, which I've tried to combat with a number of different products. For the past two winters, I put Trilogy Rosehip Oil to the test and try it out to see if it would at least reduce the dryness from my cheeks. The oil itself is not too greasy and you only need 3-4 drops (using the pipette) to cover the entire face.

I've been using it twice a day (once in the morning and again before bed) since the beginning of November, testing it over time to see if it's made a difference. And has it?

I'd definitely say it has! It hasn't eradicated the dryness completely, but my skin is not flaking and it's a lot smoother and softer. I expected my skin to become a little dry because there are other factors like the crazy cold weather and as a result, central heating being turned on, which does affect how my skin behaves. I'm happy to say though, that the longer I've been using it, I've needed to use less and less and now I only apply it to problem areas (under the eyes and tops of cheeks). This has definitely changed my skincare routine and is one product I will repurchase again. I only use this during the winter months, as I found that my skin isn't as dry and flaky once the weather warms up.

Have you tried Rosehip Oil? Do you have any tips on keeping dry skin at bay once the weather gets colder?



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The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask [review]

If you have dry/dehydrated skin, this sink-in moisture mask by The Body Shop is one for you. The idea is that you apply a thin layer over the face and leave it for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, most of the mask would have been absorbed into the skin and all that is left is to remove whatever remains with a cotton pad. 

At first, this mask was a little odd to use, as I'm so used to using clay masks and peel off masks that it was weird not to remove it all at the end. The Body Shop Sink-In Moisture mask isn't heavily scented and smells like the rest of the products in the Vitamin E range. I've managed to get two masks out of the one sachet, as it says to apply a thin layer. After 10 minutes, most of the mask had been absorbed into the skin with only a few patches to remove. My skin felt firmer and softer, and I found that my moisturiser and makeup applied more smoothly.

I would definitely recommend trying this face mask to anyone with dry/dehydrated skin. It's available in a 6ml sachet (perfect for testing out as I did), as well as a 100ml tub. I've also got a similar mask by Avene which I'll be trying soon, so look out for that review =)

 

 

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Philosophy Purity Cleanser [review]

I got a 90ml bottle of the Philosophy Purity one step cleanser in the first BBB Beauty Edit Box. I've been using it occasionally over the past few weeks as I want to use up products that seem to be gathering dust at the back of my wardrobe.

 

I have to be honest and say this is not the cleanser for me. Using the Purity cleanser has made me realised that I really don't like foaming cleansers (which is good, because I now know not to pick them up) and so I'm not keen on using it. It has a creamy texture which is a little thin and runny, and is supposed to be fragrance free, but it does smell a little green and herby (if that makes any sense!). However, it is a good cleanser as it does remove all my makeup and doesn't leave my skin feeling dry and tight. It's also very easy to use as you simply pour a little into your hands, and massage over the face until it foams up. Then simply wash away! If you are a fan of foaming cleansers then this is probably perfect for you, with prices starting at £8 (90ml).

I wish this was a cleanser that worked for me, but unfortunately it isn't and I won't be purchasing the full size.

Has anyone else tried Philosophy Purity cleanser? What did you think?

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P.S. Have a read of my review on the GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate over on Frootibeauty's blog as part of her Takeover Tuesday =)

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Review: Hijab Obsessions Jersey Hijabs

A couple of months ago, I ordered a few jersey hijabs from Hijab Obsessions. Hijab Obsessions make each of their hijabs by hand and have such a wide variety of colours and styles available. I ordered the Burgundy Shimmer hijab, Teal Shimmer hijab and the Maxi Black hijab. I've never actually worn jersey hijabs before so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to try them out as well as purchase some new hijabs (and clear out some of my more worn out ones).

The maxi hijab is huge! (obviously it's in the name). Everyone needs a plain black hijab in their collection and I think this is my staple. It's large enough to wrap around twice and create as many folds and drapes as you like. The jersey is super soft and stretchy, and it's not slippery, so it can be worn without an underscarf. This is a great hijab for winter as the material isn't thin and will keep your head and neck warm. I liked this hijab so much that I ended up purchasing the Lavender Pot Pourri printed maxi hijab at Smoky not Smudgy this year!

The shimmer hijabs are so pretty! Perfect for special occasions as well as for everyday wear, they aren't too shiny and provide just that something extra to what would otherwise be a simple outfit. The shimmer is subtle and is throughout the hijab so there is always a little sparkle as you move. An underscarf is a must with the shimmer hijabs as they are quite slippery and need the underscarf to keep it from moving out of place. The jersey material is also soft and smooth and great for creating drapes and folds. As the shimmer is in the actual material, it doesn't feel rough or itchy which is definitely what you don't want from your hijab!

I'm still experimenting with ways to wear jersey hijabs. I like that jersey hijabs don't need a lot of effort to style as they can simply be wrapped around and pinned with minimal fuss. Perfect for work (and those lazy days!). I'm looking forward to ordering a few more once I've cleared some space on my hijab hanger =)



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RMK Cleansing Balm [review]

Now here's something that I don't often do (and is probably the biggest BBlogger no-no!) and that is do a review after I've finished using the product and realise that I haven't actually got any photo's of it. Anyway, I got the RMK Cleansing Balm in the March Birchbox and it sat around for months, untouched and just left to gather dust. A few weeks ago, I found it and decided to give it a try instead of my usual Cleanse and Polish.

In short, this is a pretty awesome cleanser. You only need a small amount and simply massage over the face and it removes everything from stubborn eyeliner to waterproof mascara. It's ideal to use with a muslin cloth, but if I couldn't be bothered, it's just as quick to remove with water. Because it's a balm, it doesn't dry out your skin and just feels a lot more luxurious than a cleanser that foams and lathers up. The solid balm melts into a creamy liquid when it's applied so it doesn't take any effort to apply and remove. The rose scent might not appeal to some but it didn't bother me. I used this almost every evening after work to remove my makeup and I'm just sad to see it finish. It doesn't irritate sensitive skin and is safe to use around the eye area (which I was a little apprehensive of when I was first removing my eyeliner). I would definitely repurchase this, even though it is a little pricey (£29 for 100g).

Have you tried this cleansing balm? Or any cleansing balms? Let me know what you think of them in the comments =)

And don't forget to enter my giveaway over here =)





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Review: Bioderma Atoderm PO Zinc Creme

Bioderma's Atoderm range of products were designed for very dry skin types, which also includes eczema and atopic dermatitis. Following on from the Bioderma UK launch event (blog post), I was given the opportunity to test out the Atoderm PO Zinc Crème for myself. After testing it out for over 3 months, here's what I think of the product.

 

The Atoderm PO Zinc Crème is an ultra-soothing cream specifically for irritated, very dry, sensitive skin. This pretty much describes my skin, especially when the eczema flares up. The cream itself is not too thick (which is what's usually the case with products designed for very dry skin) and absorbs into the skin quickly (great for mornings when I need to rush to get ready). I apply the cream at least twice a day on the patches of eczema near my eyes and around my ears, usually in the morning and then once again before bed. As my eczema does flare up more during colder weather (I'm not exactly sure why), I was applying more cream onto the affected areas to both soothe the eczema and stop me from itching it.

 

Since I've started using it, the patches of eczema have definitely reduced and they are not as dry and as irritated as before. This is not the product to use if you want instant results, but with consistent use over time, the eczema will lessen. I've already picked up a second one as a backup for when this one finishes!

 

 

Do you have eczema? What products do you use to keep it at bay?

 





 

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*This product was sent for review purposes. The review is based on my own thoughts and experience of using the product.

 

 

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Review: Avene Thermal Spring Water

It's been a while since I've last blogged! Work has been taking over, especially because the Summer term is the busiest with all the extra activities going on. Hopefully I'll be blogging a little more when the Summer holidays arrive! Onto the blog post =)

I've only been using this for a few months and already it has become a staple product in my daily makeup routine. The Avene Thermal Spring Water is a multipurpose products which can be used as a refreshing spray when your skin feels dry and tight. It can also help sooth sunburn and skin irritation as well as being used as a cleanser for your face.

I've actually been using it to set my makeup in the mornings, and have also been carrying it in my bag so I can use it during the day. The 50ml can makes it ideal to carry around, but it's also available in 150ml and 300ml from Boots. It's suitable for sensitive skin as it doesn't contain any fragrances or chemicals which may cause irritation (perfect for my eczema). I love that it just gives a fine mist of spring water, which helps set my mineral makeup instead of ruining it. This is definitely my go-to product this summer and it'll be perfect for the upcoming summer holidays. At the price of £3.15, it's also a product I'd recommend you try out (because you really can't go wrong at that price) =)




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Lush Fresh Face Mask Catastrophe Cosmetic [review]

It's been an absolute age since I picked up a Lush fresh face mask, but I bought one on impulse at the end of March. I thought that I could treat myself to a bit of pampering during the Easter holidays and the Lush fresh face masks are great to use every few days. I got the Catastrophe Cosmetic mask, as it is supposed to clear and calm the skin, which is great as I've been getting a few pesky little spots (probably because I haven't been eating healthy). The mask contains blueberries (which are an antioxidant), almond oil (to moisturise) and calamine (to help to reduce irritation and redness). The Lush website states that Catastrophe Cosmetic is a deep cleansing mask, and helps to keep the skin clear with regular use.

 

 

The face mask takes about 5-10 minutes to dry, depending on how thick I have applied it (it starts crumbling when it has dried). To remove the mask I use hot water and occasionally a muslin cloth as well, to exfoliate my skin at the same time.

I've actually nearly finished using up the face mask. It's lasted me a good 7 weeks and hasn't gone off yet (even though the use by date has passed). I've managed to get roughly 8-9 uses from it and there's still enough for at least 2 more (I've used it every week since purchasing, sometimes even twice in a week). The mask didn't irritate my sensitive skin and I think it's definitely worth purchasing. It lasts a while and because they're kept in the fridge, it's refreshing to apply a cold face mask to wake me up a little in the morning. The only drawback is that that the mask does leave a little powdery residue once it's been removed (the mask does contain talc though, which is probably the cause of this).

Lush fresh face masks are £5.95 and are made from fresh and all natural ingredients. I've previously reviewed the Love Lettuce Fresh Face mask which you can read here =)


Have you tried any Lush Fresh Face Masks before? What did you think of them?




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Busy Bee Candles [mini haul and review]

I placed an order with Busy Bee Candles over the Easter weekend, after a collegue had recommended them to me. She basically said that they were equally as good, if not better than Yankee Candles, so of course I had to try them out! At the time, there was also a 30% discount code (which I obviously took advantage of) and decided to treat myself. As well as sorting the candles by scent on the website, they also differentiate between the strength of the scents, which was great for me as I headed straight to the strong scents page! Busy Bee Candles are all handmade using soy wax and high quality fragrances. They have a wide range of frangrances from floral and fruity to seasonal and just plain different. I'm already looking at the Butter Popcorn, Sweet Dreams, and Eastern Promise. They even have a vapour rub scented candle, which would be great when your feeling under the weather.

I ordered the Blackberry Fizz Mini Me candle jar, alongside the Coco Mango, Adonis and Christmas Comfort no clean wax tarts. The mini me candle jar has a burning time between 8-12 hours and the no clean wax tarts burn for around 6-7 tea lights. I already have a burner (which I haven't used), so I purchase the no clean wax tarts to start myself off, and because they don't require any cleaning, I can change the wax tart whenever I want.

Prices start from £1.25 for wax tarts, and for candle jars from £4.50. Keep up to date with their regular offers by following them on Twitter =)

Have you tried Busy Bee Candles before? And what are your favourite scents? I particularly like strong scents, usually spice based or fruity (I also have a weakness for the smell of freshly baked goodies) =)




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April Empties

Quite a few empties this month! I think this is probably due to the fact that I am trying to use up my 'Winter' skincare products as the weather slowly warms up.

The Simple Rich Moisturiser was a bit hit and miss for me, especially as I bought it to use for when my skin was particularly dry and dehydrated. The moisturiser wasn't rich enough to save my skin during the Winter months (even after applying it in two thin layers), but it was the perfect transition moisturiser from Winter to Spring, mostly because I had started using face masks on a more regular basis and drinking more water, so my skin was definitely in better condition. I probably wouldn't repurchase as it doesn't suit my skin type, although from what I remember it was pretty cheap and lasted a long time, making it good value for money. Also, it didn't irritate my sensitive skin, which would be something to consider, especially if you have a more combination (rather than extremely dry) skin type.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Concentrated Formula. I used this pretty much all throughout winter on any patches of dry skin, especially on my feet. Because the texture is really thick, and it takes a while to be absorbed into the skin, I used to apply it at night. I love the smell of cocoa butter (who doesn't?) and will probably repurchase the normal formula on my next visit to Superdrug/Boots.

Bath and Body Works Be Enchanted Shower Gel. I'm trying to use up my shower gels as I seem to have a never ending supply! This one smells amazing, sort of floral and sweet, and the scent lingers on the skin for a while. I think we need a Bath and Body Works in the UK!

Bath and Body Works Paris Amour Fragrance Mist. I also have no shortage of fragrances and body sprays in my collection, so I am using them up too. I love using these fragrance mists on a daily basis, just a little spray to freshen up my hijab or my outfit. The scents are a lot lighter than perfumes, and therefore aren't as strong.

Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation Sample. As part of using up my foundation samples series, this sample has been well and truly used up. For my review, click here.


Anyone else find that they've been using up more of their Winter skincare in order to make space for some Spring/Summer product? =)




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Sampling Foundations #3 - Origins VitaZing

Another foundation (or in this case tinted moisturiser) that I've started to use up is the Origins VitaZing spf15 moisturiser with sheer tint release. The coloured particles in the moisturiser blend into the skin to give sheer coverage and a healthy glow to the skin.

 

(I tried to get a close up of the coloured particles, but it didn't go as planned)

To see how much of tint you can actually get from VitaZing, check out Mez from All Made Up's review.


Personally, I find that this product is not really for me as I find I have to apply powder over the top (especially over my nose) as it's a tiny bit greasy for me. As I have dry and dehydrated skin, I applied VitaZing over my usual Simple moisturiser so that my skin didn't feel dry and tight. VitaZing is great for days when I don't want to put too much effort into my makeup, as I just buff the tinted moisturiser into the skin, apply a little blusher and my look is done. However, I definitely need a product with a bit more coverage and a less shiny finish for everyday wear, which means that VitaZing is definitely not a product that I am considering purchasing full size.

Has anyone else tried Origins VitaZing? What did you think of the product?




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Sampling Foundations #2 - Chanel Vitalumiere

This foundation sample is the Chanel Vitalumiere in the shade 50 (Naturel). When I went to get colour matched (during the Summer), there wasn't a foundation sample in the shade that I was matched to, so the sales assistant offered me one in a shade lighter so I could test out whether I liked the formula. I asked for a sample as I didn't want to spend £34 on a foundation, only to realise that I didn't like the colour/formula/finish etc.

This shade is actually perfect for my skin at the moment, as I'm not as tanned as I was during the Summer. I actually quite like the way the foundation applies and sits on my skin. I apply it so that it gives light-medium coverage, but it can be built up to provide full coverage. The foundation has a satin finish and contains spf 15, which is great because I don't like to apply separate sun protection. I am considering purchasing this foundation as my 'winter' foundation, but I'll be reviewing a lot more samples before I make up my mind.

 

Have you tried Chanel Vitalumiere before?

 



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Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain [review]

These Clinique Chubby Stick look-a-likes are practically a staple in my makeup bag at the moment, so I thought I'd share why! The Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stains (crazy long name), are basically a super pigmented and moisturising lip stain in a chubby crayon form. The chubby pencil design makes it easy to apply the colour directly to your lips and because it's a retractable pencil, there's no sharpening required! I have two of these stains, in Crush and Honey.

 

 

 

Crush is the darkest shade available and it's a berry red shade. I apply this colour and then blot it so that it's not as pigmented on my lips, and by the end of the day there is still a stain on my lips. It's perfect for when I don't want to carry any lip products with me as there really is no need to reapply! I just add a little lip balm over the top as the day goes on, because even though the balm stains are moisturising, my lips do get dry throughout the day.

Honey is a more recent purchase (which I bought using my Boots Advantage Card points) and is a lovely soft pink shade. A sort of 'my lips but better' colour which is great for everyday wear. This is currently in my work bag, even though I don't really need to reapply during the day, it's there for those 'just in case' moments'.


I definitely am glad that I picked up these balm stains, especially in these two particular shades! I'll be looking into the rest of the shades available, but so far I've found two that are perfect for me =)

Have you tried the Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stains? What do you think of them?




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MAC lipstick collection - Swatches and Review

If you had seen my lipstick collection a few months ago (June/July), you would have noticed that I didn't own any MAC lipsticks. Not because I had anything against them, but mostly because I wasn't a keen lipstick wearer and also, the sheer amount of shades and finishes available from MAC made it impossible for me to choose which one I liked the most. Fast forward to today, and I am the owner of 3 MAC lipsticks. Here are the shades that I have, swatched and reviewed =)

Thanks to my not so great camera, the colours show up pretty similar, but they are actually different

The order of the colours in the picture above

 

Twig - This would be considered my first purchased MAC lipstick, which I bought in September (as mentioned in my beauty product haul). A satin finish lipstick, Twig is described as a soft muted brownish-pink, I find this the perfect everyday colour. In fact this one lives in my bag and moving between bags so that I am always carrying it around.

Viva Glam III - This has a matte finish and is described by MAC as a muted brownish-plum. I recieved this as one of my graduation presents, and was the first MAC lipstick in my makeup collection. This is a colour that I had picked out ages ago as I had swatched it a number of times in the MAC store and stated that it would be my first MAC lipstick purchase (see Instagram for proof of this). This is colour that is darker than a colour I would usually go for but it just appeals to me.

Captive - This MAC lipstick is one that I won from Sam's giveaway a few weeks ago (thank you Sam!). When she contacted me, I had actually forgotten what colour I had noted in the comments on her blog. Captive is also satin finish lipstick and it's described as a pinkish-plum colour.

(click for a bigger image)

And that's the end of my little MAC lipstick collection (which I think will be growing as time goes on). I prefer the satin finishes over any other MAC lipstick finishes (no idea why, it's just personal preference). I am a big fan of neutral and everday colours that can be worn with pretty much anything, as I prefer to focus attention on my eye makeup rather than my lips, but I'm tempted to try out some brighter and bolder colours (hence why the three lipsticks are pretty much just different shades in the same colour family).

What lip colours do you prefer? Any MAC shades (or any brand for that matter) that you suggest I try out?



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Prescribed Dermalogica Skincare Routine [review]

In September, I had a face mapping skin analysis carried out at the Dermalogica stand at Westfield Stratford. The assistant told me that my skin was dehydrated, and that only my t-zone (mostly my nose) was oily. She recommended a few products for me to use, however I didn't want to purchase full size items and then realise that they either did not get on with my skin, or that I hated using them (for whatever reason). I decided to go for the LE Top Performer collection which contained 4 miniature/travel sized products, 3 of which were recommended to me (these were the cleansing gel, daily microfoliant and skin smoothing cream). The fourth product was an eye cream (MultiVitamin Power Firm) which I haven't actually used. The assistant also recommended the mattifying moisturiser, which I didn't purchase, but she did give me a few sample sachets so I could try the product out (this was specifically for applying on my oily nose).

So far, I have actually been pretty good with cleansing and micro-foliating (if that's a word) most mornings (I'm not perfect, otherwise it would be every morning) and also cleansing most evenings too. I used the skin smoothing cream as a daily moisturiser in place of my usual Olay one and have been sticking to the routine for the most part (apart from on Eid and the mendhi/wedding days, where I had to replace the Dermalogica cleanser for the Liz Earle C&P to remove all my makeup effectively). I haven't used the mattifying moisturiser at all as my nose has become less oily (probably because it is colder now), and I don't like the hassle of having to use a separate moisturiser for my nose.

At the beginning I didn't really see any changes. In fact I gained a few spots (although that might be due to the weather change and the fact that I have not been drinking enough water). After using this routine for a good few weeks here are my thoughts. I have mixed result as I'm not a big fan of foaming cleansers and personally I think cream/balm cleansers work a lot better for me. The moisturiser was great as it was a lot thicker than my usual Olay one (which I will stop using) but I won't be purchasing the Dermalogica skin smoothing moisturiser as it doesn't contain SPF. I've never actually looked at SPF in my skincare and cosmetics before, however I am becoming more conscious of this and have been looking into purchasing a moisturiser with a decent amount of SPF for the winter (and obviously one with a higher SPF factor for the summer). I will be purchasing the daily microfoliant, once mine has finished, as it's gentle enough for everyday use (as suggested in the name) and quite fun to use. It's just working out how much you actually need to use that is the tricky part at the beginning!


I would definitely recommend going for a face mapping analysis and finding out if you should be changing anything in your skincare routine (and it's free). You aren't obliged to purchase any products after the analysis, but any purchases do usually include a fair few sample sachets of products to try.

Has anyone else tried Dermalogica products? What did you think of them?



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Lush's Christmas products (mini haul)

I love shopping at Lush. Not only do the stores smell wonderful and sweet (although not everybody is a fan), but they always have something different for each of their seasonal releases. From their Christmas range this year, I've managed to pick up the Candy Mountain bubble bar and the Popcorn lip scrub (so far).

The Candy Mountain bubble bar is simply the Creamy Candy bubble bar that's had a bit of a makeover. When I purchased Candy Mountain, I didn't actually know this, but I could tell that it smelt exactly like Creamy Candy (I just thought that it was because they were placed near each other, so my nose couldn't tell the difference). Creamy Candy is actually one of my favourite bubble bars to use (as seen in this blog post), and I always cut it up, so that I get more uses from the one bar. I'm not too sure how well Candy Mountain will fare if I cut it up with scissors or a knife. It might just end up as a crumbled up mountain =S

The Popcorn lip scrub actually smells like butter popcorn! That alone pretty much made my mind up while I was in the store, and decided to purchase it on my next visit to Lush. As with all of Lush's lip scrubs, you only need the smallest amount to exfoliate your lips, so this tub will last quite a long time (not to mention that I've also got the Bubblegum lip scrub somewhere). Popcorn lip scrub actually tastes like a mixture of sweet and salty popcorn (probably because it contains caster sugar and sea salt) but it smells like butter popcorn. Weird right? All I know is that this lip scrub will definitely be a product I'll be using often, as my lips tend to get dry and flaky during winter, so this will help to overcome that problem.


Have you bought anything from Lush recently?



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