October Empties

Apologies about the slightly bleached out photo here. It was extremely sunny when I took these, and despite trying to edit this one in order for the products to be more clearly visible, this is the best I could get it.

Anyway, on to this month's empties.

Benefit Erase Paste in Shade 02 Medium

Finally, after ten months, my trusty little pot of Erase Paste is no more. This was my first time trying this concealer, and it fast became a staple in my daily makeup routine - in fact, I wouldn't leave the house without it. It's quite a thick, salmon-toned paste, and in my case it has been mostly used for concealing the dark under-eye circles which you have all heard me complaining about of late. It does do a pretty good job, better than anything else I'd tried before. But alas, it's still not concealer perfection. I'm seriously starting to doubt if there is actually one in existence that can completely mask dark circles. It does also tend to settle into the expression lines under the eyes.

Would I buy it again? Actually, yes, I would - I'm scared to be without it. But in spite of this, I am keen to try some other concealers, and have actually just bought one from a brand I'd never heard of before, so keep your eyes peeled for a review on that one in the coming weeks, and to find out if it was able to outdo Erase Paste.

Benefit The Porefessional

I got this little treat free with Glamour magazine a few months ago, as I know many of you did. While I have seen mixed reviews, personally, I really like this and have started to incorporate it into my daily makeup routine. I actually don't really use this to disguise my pores - instead, I use it as a primer. I pat some onto my t-zone before applying my foundation, which seems to prolong the wear-time and prevent my makeup from sliding off my face after a couple of hours (I don't generally have oily skin, but my t-zone does play up at times, and could do with a bit of extra help). The Porefessional gives me a nice smooth,  matte surface to work with on those areas, and I have already repurchased another little tube.

I'd just like to point out that if you use The Porefessional in the same way as I do then despite this tube being a tiny 7ml in size, it will actually last you several months! Just use it sparingly.

Percy and Reed Splendidly Silky Moisturising Shampoo

Although we got off to a bumpy start, I actually ended up really liking this shampoo. I did review it on here only a couple of days ago, so rather than repeating myself all over again and boring you silly, you can click here for more information on the product and to find out some more of my thoughts.

Herbalife Skin Activator Day Cream

This has been my daily moisturiser for the past four or five months, and again, I've enjoyed using it. It does make my skin feel nice and soft, but it's not really anything out of the ordinary. It's supposed to prevent the signs of ageing and when used regularly, improve skin firmness, clarity and luminosity, but I really couldn't tell you if that's been the case with me, because I have been trying out so many different skincare products of late! My skin actually has started looking nice and clear and glowing within the past couple of weeks, but given that I've been using this cream for a few months now, I'd say it's more likely to be down to a couple of new face masks I've been using.

I would repurchase, but at the same time I'm happy to try out other products. As a beauty blogger, this is so often the case,so a product has to REALLY impress me to stick around.

Liz Earle Energising Body Wash

Containing the active ingredients Damask rose flower water, sweet orange oil and vitamin E, surprisingly this shower gel has quite a strong, astringent scent. I usually prefer fruity scents in the shower, but this was actually quite invigorating when used as part of my morning shower routine. This is the second bottle I've got through, but not because I purchased either of them - they were both sent to me as free gifts when I was making bulk purchases of some of Liz's other products online.

I don't think I'd repurchase, just because at £11.50 a pop it's a bit pricey for a shower gel. Plus, as I mentioned, I do tend to prefer fruity fragrances. But if I happen to receive one as another free gift next time I'm making a purchase then I will happily use it up.

Clinique Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator

Again, this was a free gift with some Clinique purchases, although I must admit, this was about two years ago! And yes...yes, I have lost the lid. Again.

This product left my skin feeling really polished and smooth, but I probably wouldn't repurchase because there are plenty of other good exfoliators for a fraction of the price.

Can you tell that I'm a bit of a cheapskate when it comes to body products? I don't know why, but while I'm happy to splurge on facial skincare if I see fit, I hate to do so on things like shower gels and scrubs. There are just so many fantastic products and brands available at affordable prices, and in my eyes, they really do do the job just as well, while with facial skincare I believe that you generally get what you pay for.

So, that's it for October Empties. Do let me know if you've tried any of these products and what your thoughts were.

What have you used up this month?

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Burnout Shirt  -  Beanie  -  Liz Earle Smoothing Line Serum  -  Origins 'Nature's Anti-Agers'  -  Floral Kimono  -  Berry Clutch  -  Sequin Ombre Denim Shorts  -  Studded Boots  -  Rose Print Jeans  -  Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser  -  Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer  -  Green Tea Candle

Can you tell that I've suddenly started worrying about my skin this week? I've noticed the lines beneath my eyes have deepened and it's freaked me out a bit, so now it's all about the anti-aging skincare! I'm not convinced any product can really improve the appearance of fine lines, but I don't want to have the skin of an elephant any time soon so I must go for prevention at the very least! Some of you might think I'm going a little bit crazy, only being in my twenties. But believe you me, those first lines act as a wakeup call for anyone, so this Origins gift set is top of my Christmas list, along with the Liz Eatle Smoothing Line Serum.

On the upside, my skin has actually been fantastic recently, which I think I have a couple of new facemasks to thank for (reviews and details coming soon). So, as it's looking so clear and glowing, I thought I'd take full advantage while I can and swap heavy foundation for a nice, light tinted moisturiser (Nars Pure Radiant). Yes, I'm very well aware that it's winter, but I think that if you can get away with it, it's really better to wear as little makeup as possible on your skin when you have the chance. That said, my under-eye area is still in need of a bit of help, and I wouldn't dare leave the house without a bit of concealer to hide my dark circles, so I'm quite interested in trying the Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer. I'm not sure I'm really on board with the whole 'No Concealer' name thing, as clearly it is exactly that. But who am I to argue? As long as it does the job well then I'm in.

Clothes-wise, I think this knitted beanie, sequin ombre shorts, berry clutch and tan studded boots are all great staple pieces for winter. Most of my weekly wishlists seem to have featured one pair of studded boots or another of late, but this is the first good pair I've found that isn't black, so they are a definite must and will last well into the Spring, when they can be worn with the same shorts and bare legs.

I also really love the look of this pretty floral kimono and rose-print jeans, which will look great with basic pieces and layers.

Last but not least is this pretty green tea-scented candle. Those of you who know me well will be aware that I am an avid green tea drinker (along with my traditionall British cuppas, of course!) and I do find the scent quite relaxing. But mostly, I just really like pretty scented candles, and enjoy having an array of scents to choose from according to my mood. The fact that they look great around the house is an added bonus.

Well, that's it for this week's wishlist. Did you see anything you liked?

What's top of your Christmas list this year?

xx

Rediscoveries Reviewed: Percy and Reed Splendidly Silky Moisturising Shampoo

Percy and Reed is a brand created by celebrity hair stylists Adam Reed and Paul Percival, who developed their own range of salon standard products with the idea in mind that modern, cutting-edge style could be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere, any time.

I actually got this shampoo free with a magazine about a year ago, and was really excited to try it after hearing lots of good things about it. However, after giving it a fair few goes, I was pretty certain that I didn't like it. It didn't lather up at all when I applied it to wet hair, and for me that's a deal breaker - if I don't get a good lather my hair just doesn't feel clean afterwards.

However, I recently rediscovered this little tube and decided I'd give it another go. Perhaps I had been missing a trick before?

Well, as it turned out, yes, I had. You need to make sure your hear is completely soaked through, for a start (although I had made sure of this during my initial experimentation). You also need to use a good old dollop of this - although saying that, it's pretty thin in consistency, so for me it's more of a palm-ful (small hands). The usual amount won't suffice with this shampoo, so you really do need to use that bit extra to get a nice thick lather on the go.

So, what were the results after giving this shampoo a second chance to impress? Well, I actually really do like it. If I'm honest, I rarely say this about a shampoo, as most of them are just 'ok'. Yes, they leave my hair feeling clean, and that is the main thing, after all. But do they give me voluminous/silky smooth/bouncy hair? Bar a select couple, not really. However, the Percy and Reed Splendidly Silky Moisturising Shampoo left my hair looking nice and shiny, as well as thicker, softer and more manageable. My only gripe is that you have to use so much of it to get results, as it does make it somewhat less purse-friendly.

Is it a miracle worker? No. But it does do a lot more for my hair than the majority of shampoos I've tried, and I shall indeed be repurchasing.

Have you tried this shampoo, or anything else by Percy and Reed? 

What were your thoughts?

xx

Pai Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser: Review

I was lucky enough to win the Pai Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser in a giveaway over on the fantastic Product Pixie, and thank goodness I did, as with a £25 pricetag, it was not something I was likely to be popping into my shopping bag of my own accord, especially since at the time I knew very little about the brand. I was perfectly happy with my Liz Earle Cleanse and polish, and if it wasn't for my little win then I probably would have stuck with it.

Now, first things first. Pai formulates all their products with sensitive and allergy prone skin in mind (not my case, but anyway) and everything they sell is certified organic by the soil association. It was also the first brand to list all its products' ingredients in plain English, so, in their words, "you don't need a chemistry degree to understand them". Now, personally, with this information in mind, I was already pretty sold on them as a brand, as I am a huge fan of organic skincare and do like to know what exactly I'm dealing with.

This is a cream cleanser, and what immediately struck me about it was that actually, it's quite similar to Cleanse and Polish in terms of how it's designed to be used. I usually use a couple of pumps on this and massage it onto a dry face (although the instructions suggest damp skin), before removing with the muslin cloth provided, soaked in hot water, using a circular motion. You can use this cleanser on a full face of makeup, and it'll get the lot off, as well as gently exfoliating and sloughing away any dry skin and dead cells (nice!) and you can also use it as an eye make-up remover - just pop a bit onto a couple of cotton pads and wipe gently over your eyes.

 What I love about this product is that it's so gentle (it's designed for all skin types, sensitive included) and yet really effective, and as an added bonus it is comprised of lots of natural ingredients such as camellia (which is packed with Omega 3 and vitamins A, B, C and E) and rose (obviously)  essential oils. It's also free from alcohol and parabens, which means that you can use it without having to worry about the effects of those sorts of chemical nasties.

Now, for any of you fragrance-phobics out there, this cleanser is lightly scented. For me, it smells like a mixture of chamomile and rose, but given that I'm unsure of the scent of Camellia, it's probably that.

So, what's my overall verdict?

I'm sold. I've hugely enjoyed using this cleanser, and have found that it has left my skin feeling really clean and fresh. It gets all of my make-up off without irritating my eyes and has kept my skin clear of breakouts (bar the odd hormonal spot which can't be helped). I really love the ritual of using a hot cloth cleanser, and can really notice the difference in my skin when I do, and I don't find that I need to use an exfoliator very often as this keeps my skin looking bright and glowing. The only thing that I don't like about it is the hefty price tag - at over £10 more than the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish for the same volume, I'm afraid to say that I can't bring myself to repurchase. However, for any of you who don't mind splashing out that bit more, I highly recommend this cleanser, and Pai as a brand.

Do you enjoy using organic skincare? If so, what are your favourite brands?

xx

~All That Slap~ Talks Pampering Perfection (Guest Post)

You all know how much I love a good old bit of me-time, and it's no secret that I like to indulge in a bit of pampering come the weekend. But how does the very lovely Grace of All That Slap like to go about it? Read on to find out.

I love a good pamper session! For me, there is nothing nicer than a lovely evening in with PJs on, a cup of tea and some nice beauty products to slather on whilst I relax. When I am having one of these “sessions” I love using a face mask, hair mask and sometimes an eye mask too!

My absolute favourite is a face mask. I have acne prone skin so I love using clay masks that help to draw out impurities and bring spots to the surface. A few of my favourites are the Una Brennan SuperFacialist one, which I have reviewed here, the Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask one and the most recent favourite is the pricey but amazing Glam Glow – this is brilliant and very effective, If you do not have sensitive skin and can find it in your budget then I highly recommend.

I do, from time to time, love to also make my own DIY face masks. I love natural skincare and there is nothing better than home made all natural if you ask me – and its good for your wallet too!

One I love for acne prone skin is the honey and aspirin mask, reviewed here, its brilliant. Honey is great for the skin and aspirin contains acne fighting ingredients and also exfoliates the skin very well.

Oatmeal and honey is also another lovely mask to use, oatmeal can exfoliate but its more gentle than using aspirin and better for those with sensitive skin.

A strawberry and yogurt mask is lovely and smells amazing! That’s always a nice to try in summer when there are more berries around!

Look at this great blog for lots of recipes and tips for making your own face mask – its FAB!

In terms of a hair masks (or treatment) I love love love using coconut oil. It’s one of the best hair treatments you can possibly do. Coconut oil is one of very few oils that penetrate the hair shaft, its rich in vitamin E and helps condition and repair hair. I get mine from an Asian supermarket and its very cheap. Melt down (its solid at room temp) and apply to dry hair, leave as long as possible, preferably overnight, and then wash out with lots of shampoo in the morning. You hair will love you for it!

From time to time instead of using plain coconut oil, I use a treatment from Leonor Grayl which contains coconut oil in it as well as other hair loving ingredients. I use it the same way I would if I were using normal coconut oil. It is pricey but very nice. If you are in a budget, stick with normal coconut oil and your hair will be treated none the less!

A final branded hair treatment I love is the Macadamia Oil Deep Repair Masque – reviewed here, its fab and a little goes a long way and it smells yummy! The great thing about this is that you can use it in the shower or whilst in the bath and there is no need to leave it on for a long time like the coconut oil or Leonor Grayl.

Finally onto eye masks, these are new for me – I have not used them much but I know they are really popular in the Far East. Recently I got one got this Diamond Blend one, but I want to use eye masks more and hopefully they will help to delay the signs of aging!

What are your favourite ways to pamper yourself? What are your favourite products? Mel and I would love to hear from you! Get in touch and leave a comment J

I hope you enjoyed this post and thanks so much to the lovely Mel for letting me do it! I really appreciate it.

A huge thanks to Grace for guesting today, and if you haven't checked out her fantastic blog, All That Slap, then I highly recommend that you go right on over and do that now!  If you're interested in natural products and like to know what you are really putting onto your skin then she's your girl!

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Structured Blazer  -  Baroque Body  -  L'oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Excess Mascara  -  Suedette Bag  -  Playsuit  -  Sleeveless Parka  -  Khaki Jeans  -  Bee Prepared Daily Defence Immune Support  -  Camo Make-up Bag  -  Glitter Peplum  -  Clarins Vital Light Skin Illuminators Collection  -  Lace Maxi  -  GlamGlow Mud Mask - Special Edition  -  Pinstud Boots

It's all about the khaki this winter, whether we are talking clothing, make-up or accessories, so a pair of warm skinnies to mix and match is going to be a staple piece in my wardrobe. I also can't get enough of layering so this cosy sleeveless parka is an essential and would look great thrown on over all manner of knitwear (I've already got my eye on several hundred woolly jumpers!). When I want to dress things up a bit, the structured blazer will be perfect and can easily take a look from day tonight, as it's suitable for work as well as wine.

Add to these key pieces yet another pair of studded boots and just one more peplum and my winter wardrobe will be looking close to perfect, in my eyes. It's just a shame this is only a wishlist and not my actual shopping bag!

I am keen to pick up the UnBEElievable BEE Prepared Daily Defence Immune Support in order to ward of winter colds, as it's all natural and contains all sorts of goodies such as bee propolis, black elderberry, olive leaf and beta glucans. I usually pick up every bug going in the winter, so I need all the help I can get!

Skin could always do with that bit of extra pampering in the colder months, and with GlamGlow bringing out a special edition of their fantastic mud mask for Breast Cancer Awareness, it would be rude not to. Granted, I don't really need any more face masks, but it would be rude not to when it's all in the name of a good cause. I'm also hoping to grab the Clarins Vital Light Skin Illuminators Collection and provide my skin with that extra bit of glow for the festive season. My skin tends to be a bit dull in the winter so it can do with all the help it can get.

Lastly, I am beyond keen to get my hands on the new L'oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Excess Mascara (phew, long name). The normal version is my all-time favourite mascara and I use it on a daily basis, so I'm really excited to try this ramped-up version and see how it performs.

I'm so glad to be finally feeling up to blogging again after a rough week. I've been spending some time with the in-laws, who have been feeding me cake (they know me so well) and the hubby has been looking after me too, so I am feeling lots better and ready to face the world again! This weekend I am planning on chilling out, with a pamper session on the cards tonight. It's been a while since I could actually be bothered as I haven't been interested in anything for a couple of weeks, so it's long overdue and I'm going to enjoy tring out some of my newest products.

What's on your wishlist this week?

Do you have anything exciting planned for the weekend?

xx

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I really want to blog this week. I do. And the fact that I have been off sick for the past few days has meant that I've had plenty of time to. But it's just not happening - my mind is having none of it.

I went to see the doctor at the end of last week and was given some medication that I had been reluctant to take, as in my eyes it was far too strong for what I was experiencing. I am a huge fan of natural remedies and always stick to them where possible, but somehow the doctor managed to convince me that, as the things I'd tried in the past hadn't helped with this particular issue, I should take the medication she had prescribed. So, I went with it. I managed to avoid Googling it for the first few days of taking it, but then I cracked, and what I read freaked me out so much that I stopped taking it immediately, which has frankly left me feeling like utter crap. Anyway, I'm sure it won't last, I think my brain is just a bit confused at the moment, but due to this I can't seem to string a sentence together in order to write about anything constructive, or about anything fun or beautiful that I would like to share with you. I've got so many products I want to review, and I was supposed to be doing some baking and other DIY bits and pieces, so as soon as I feel up to it I will have plenty to write about and talk to you lovelies about.

So that's me. I'm actually not even sure why I am posting, but it just felt better to say something than nothing.

Hope you lovelies are all having a good week

xx