Recent Purchases

Hey Guys,

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend? Can't believe how much the weather has changed in the past couple of weeks. The other week we were having lovely sunny days and now you can't go out without ending up looking like a drowned rat!!!

So to cheer myself up because of all the bad weather, I have treated myself to afew little treats.

Estee Lauder Daywear Oil-Free Moisturiser - I love the non oil-free version of this moisturiser but as I have oily/combination skin, it didn't really do anything for my skin. When I saw that they had released an oil-free version I knew I had to have it. 

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Oil Free - This is a product I've had on my wish list for a while. It is quite expensive and alot more than I would normally pay for a primer but its gets such good reviews and awards its something that I knew I had to have. 

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Oil Free - As its getting towards summer and hopefully nice sunny weather, I don't really want to wear a full face of  foundation. After reading reviews on what tinted moisturiser was best this came out top. And being oil free its perfect for me.

Garnier Pure Active Spot-On Roll-On and Origins Super Spot Remover - I've been experimenting recently on different spot treatments. These are the latest ones to add to my collection. The Garnier Spot-On Roll-On claims to help fight spots and fade marks. The Origins Super Spot Remover always gets good reviews from other bloggers so I thought I would give it a go. Plus it comes in a cute little bottle :)

MUA Love Heart Lip Balms - When I first saw these released afew months back I wanted them straight away. Unfortunately, every Superdrug I went into never ever had them. Finally when I was in Manchester the other week I popped into Superdrug and there they were. I think I actually ran, picked them up and went straight to the till. Only trouble is I think they are too nice to use!!!

What do you think of my recent purchases? Have you used any of them? Let me know :) xx

May Favourites

Hey Guys,

Hope everyone is enjoying the start of the 4 day break? Just a shame that the lovely sunny weather has gone :(

Here are my favourite products for May

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Spot Stress Control 3-in-1 daily cleansing lotion - This used to be a staple in my skincare routine last year and I don't know why I stopped using it. For the past few months my skin has been up and down. Since I have started using this again my skin has calmed down alot and I only get afew spots now compared to what I was getting. A must have for blemished prone skin. 

Simple rapid action spot zapper - When I got get a spot this is my go to spot treatment.I apply this to the spot on a night and by morning is has reduced in size and made the redness has disappeared. And as its a Simple product its kind to your skin wrong dry it out.

MAC Select Cover Up Concealer - I have been experimenting with different concealers recently but have found myself going back to my reliable MAC concealer. Its light-weight, provides good coverage and easy to blend. I actually feel guilty for trying to replace it. This concealer is now back in my Make-Up bag.

Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing and Advanced Night Repair - Really can't explain how since using this two products they have improved the condition of my skin. I feel that if I don't use these my skin actually misses them. I will be doing a more in depth review of these soon so keep a look out for that. They are definitely worth the money. 

What have been your favourites for May? Let me know :) xx

Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover

Hey Guys,

I can’t tell you how long I have wanted this. Everytime I went into the dept store I used to test every single shade to find the one that suited me. I had heard such great reviews about how it covers acne scares, nasty sports and redness and I wanted it.

The other month Estee Lauder had a bonus time and I thought to myself that if I don’t get it now I never will. So I went along and I picked up another bottle the double wear foundation (my HG foundation) and asked the SA lady to help me with the colour for the maximum cover . First of all she asked me with a worried tone if I was going to be using it as a foundation. I assured her I was just going to use it as a concealer to help with my blemishes as I wanted something that had abit more coverage and staying power. She relaxed and then tested some of the colours on me. The one I went for was creamy vanilla.

I couldn’t wait to start using this. As soon as I got home I put some of it straight onto the problem areas. (I have some scars on my jaw/chin. Everytime I get spots here they have been leaving scars )

What it Claims

"Soothing, natural-looking, liquid-creme makeup for concealing all skin imperfections, including surgical and acne scars, birthmarks, sun spots and varicose veins."

What I think

I have to be honest and it breaks my heart to say but im disappointed in this. From the hype I was expecting miracles. It covered my scares and spots OK but I think I could find a better alternative concealer on the high street and for a lot cheaper. This costs £26.50 which is quite expensive and for paying that much I would want it to do the job. Unlike my other concealers where I can build up the coverage without it looking cakey, you can’t do that with this. If you apply more that one layer you’re left with this awful cakey finish. Not nice. If you do apply more of the product to your face I found it really had to blend. It seemed to dry quite quickly. And never use this over dry skin. It will look horrible and it will leave you with flaky skin!!!!!!!!

Will I buy again

I don’t think I will buy this again. I think there are other alternatives out there that will do the job better and for more that half the price. I am glad I bought it as I had always wanted to try it. It’s just a shame that it didn’t live up to my high expectations.

Have you tired the Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover? What did you think? Were you disappointed like me? Let me know  xx

April Favourites

Hey Guys,

Sorry this post is late. I've had a busy few days the past week. I've recently got a new job and its been non stop. Hopefully I can now get back to do my weekly blogs. 

Here are my favourite products for the past month

Estee Lauder Pore Minimizing Lotion
This has been on my "wish list" for awhile so I thought I would take the plunge and buy a bottle. I won't go on too much about it as I will be doing a review on this shorty but since using this I have noticed a big difference in my skin tone. I use this in the morning after I've toned and before I apply my moisturiser. I love how my skin looks after I have applied it. Matt and smooth. It also provides a great base for my moisturiser. Love it:)


Nivea Daily Essential Moisturiser - Oily & Combination Skin

I've been using this moisturiser on and off for the past year. I don't know why I keep going away from it because as soon as I start using a different moisturiser my skin starts to play up. I think maybe I don't find it glamours enough. :) Its an oil free moisturiser which is great for my skin as i have oily/combination skin. Its soaks into my skin straight away and doesn't leave my skin looking or feeling greasy. It keeps my shine free and doesn't clog my pores. Its also acts as a great base for my Make-up which I struggle to find. It retails from £2.99 - £3.99. Its a great bargain.

Avon Ultra Colour Rich Mega Impact Lipstick - Really Rosy
This has to be my all time favourite lipstick. The colour lasts from when i apply it on a morning around 7ish till about lunchtime. Even if I eat during the morning the lipstick stays put. It has a lovely glossy finish and very moisturising for the lips. When this is on offer I try and stock up. Definitely can't be without this lipstick.

Avene Thermal Spring Water spray
I bought this after reading other bloggers reviews saying how good it is and I agree with them. I use this on my face after I have applied my Make-Up. I find it sets my Make-Up and provides me with a lovely dewy glow. I also use this during the day to freshen my skin when I find its looking abit dull and lacking abit of life. At £3.99 everyone should have a bottle in their Make-Up bag.

Lipcote
I love love love this. When I apply this over my lipstick it last for ages. It doesn't matter if I use a high end lipstick or a £1 lipstick. This works on everything.  If you want lipstick to last, use this.

What do you think of my April Favourites? Have you used any of them and what have you thought? Let me know :) xx

Estee Lauder Bonus Time

Somehow I always manage to time it well with me running out of my beloved Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation and a bonus time event.

This time it was Debenhams turn for the bonus time. There were two gift options to choose from. A make-up based gift and a skin care gift. I decided to go for the skin care gift set.

What was included in the set;

• Perfectly Clean Splash Away Foaming Cleanser
• Perfectly Clean Fresh Balancing Exfoliator
• Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator
• Daywear Advanced Multi-Protection Anit-Oxidant Creme SPF 15
• Advanced Night Repair Eye
• Pure Colour Long Lasting Lipstick
• Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara
• Cosmetic Bag

Of course I picked up another bottle of the Double Wear foundation in Fresco. I have mentioned before how much I love this foundation so I won't go on again about it.

Now this is where the hard part comes. I can never decide what my second purchase should be to get the lovely gift set. I didn't know if i should get another foundation, concealer, blusher or lipstick. Unfortunately, there wasn't a proper SA on the counter so i decided to play it safe and picked a concealer brush.

What really made me fall in love with this gift set was a sample bottle of the Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator. I was so excited. I have wanted to try this for ages but as the bottle ranges from £46.00 - £62.00 it was abit out of my price range. Keep a look out for a review of this soon as I will be definitely trying this!!

What do you think of this gift set? What would have been your two purchases? Let me know :) xx

February Favourites - Part Two

Make Up
Benefit The Porefessional -  I bought this awhile ago and used it once, wasn't too impressed so i put it to the back of my make-up drawer. Then after reading various blogs and found how people used it i thought i would give it another go and im glad i did. I use this as a primer to even out my skin and to provide a good base for my foundation. I put a pea size amount onto the pads of my fingers and apply all over my face. I then leave it to settle on my skin for about 5 mins then apply my foundation. My foundation goes on easily and evenly. As its oil free i free it keeps my shiny skin at bay and my foundation seems to last all day. I would recommend this 100% to anyone who is looking for a foundation base/primer. This is definitely at the top of my list.

Garnier Roll-On in Light -  I don't really suffer from dark circles but when i do think i need to apply under-eye concealer i turn to this. I dab 3 spots of the concealer under my eye, pat it in into my skin and the dark areas disappear. I have tried afew of the high end under-eye concealer but I've found this does the job so much better and at under £10 i think its a bargain.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Fresco - This is really my holy grail foundation. I don't know how i've coped before i've discovered this. Im sure you've read other reviews and blogs about how great this foundation it and their not wrong. It really is sooooo wonderful. Its last all day, no need to reapply during the day, covers blemishes and provides amazing coverage.I find that using a normal foundation brush to apply this works best for me as i feel that it covers my blemishes better and i prefer the finish when compared to other make-up brushes. If you haven't tried this foundation then get down to your local Estee Lauder counter and ask for a sample. Once you've tried it you won't use another foundation.

MAC Select Cover-up Concealer in NW20 -   I've used this concealer for afew years now and love it. I find that its the only concealer i've found that covers my spots they best. I can keep on applying the concealer until im happy with the coverage and it doesn't leave my skin looking cakey, where when i've tried other concealers and applied the concealer afew times my skin looks worse than before I had applied my make up. Its so light and easily to apply. I know that this will always feature in my make up bag.

Benefit Boi-ing in 01 - After the MAC concealer this concealer comes in a close 2nd place. I mainly use this to cover the redness round my nose as i find it provides that bit more coverage than my MAC concealer. Easy to apply and blend. I wouldn't recommend this to cover blemishes as i don't think it covers them that well as sometimes it appears cakey but to cover the Rosacea i have it does the job well.

TOPSHOP Blush in Neon Rose - I use this when i need to apply some colour to my cheeks quickly, I love cream blushes and out of all of them this range is my favourite. The coverage is great and lasts nearly all day. Too add a quick touch of colour during the day this is the best.

RIMMEL Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 005 Silky Beige - I first heard of this after reading afew reviews on a number of blogs. I decided to try it for myself and it has now replaces my MAC powder. It sets my make-up amazingly, doesn't make my powder look like I've applied it using a trowel, keeps my face shine free all day and best of all when I apply the powder at 8.00am and check my make-up at lunch time it still looks fresh, like I've just applied it. I can't recommend this product enough. If you haven't tried it, you must!

Sleek Brow Kit in Dark - After over-plucking my eyebrows I needed something to help fill them in and make them look normal again. I've always been tempted to try out a brow kit but was never too sure but when I saw that the Sleek did a brow kit and for under a tenner I thought i would give it ago. After following the instructions on the box I found it so easy to apply. I'm really happy with this product and even more happy that my eye-brows are close to being back to normal.

Have you tired any of the products I've been using in February. If you have, what have you thought of them? Let me know :) xx

Estee Lauder BB Cream

I managed to pop into boots and get hold on a sample of the new Estee Lauder BB cream which came out on Monday. Im a big fan of Estee Lauder Make-Up. Their Double Wear Foundation is an absolute must have. I have been waiting for this for a while after hearing that Estee were bringing out a version of the BB cream.

It claims to;

• Provide an instant, even-toned, healthy look.
• Powerful protection with our proven Super Anti-Oxidant Complex and SPF 35.
• High-performance, oil-free hydration.
• Helps to control excess surface oil.
• Available in 2 shades to suit a wide range of skintones.

The SA tested both shades on me. The light shade was the winner. She advised that this could be used under or instead of foundation. And it can replace the primer I am using at the moment as it will provide a flawless base. Its priced at £32 . So was this worth waiting for?? The answer is... maybe not.

The fragrance of this is so lovely. When you put this on your skin it smells so fresh and it blends really well. I used this under my foundation, like a primer as the SA had advised. I applied all over my face, let it sink in for abit then applied my concealer and foundation as normal. Unfortunately, It didn't provide that flawless look I was hoping for.

Also since I have been using this product I have broken out on my chin. The only thing I can think of that I have been doing/using differently is using this product. My foundation also doesn't seem to last that long since using this. When I checked my Make-Up at lunch time I felt that it I needed to re-apply my Make-up again :(

Overall I am really disappointed that this hasn't worked for me as I had high hopes for this product.

What do you think of the BB creams available at the moment? Have you tried any and which are favourites?  xx