Origins 'Calm to Your Senses' stress-relieving mask

Origins Calm to Your Senses stress-relieving mask

When I get wind of a new Origins product launch, I certainly don't need telling twice, the arrival of their Calm to Your Senses stress-relieving face mask had me racing straight for my nearest counter in a desperate bid to get my hands on a tube. I feel like I've referred to this a lot lately, but I'm a worrier by nature, and I often get myself far too worked up over things that I probably won't even remember a month down the line. I also have trouble with sleeping - I usually drop off all too easily, but I regularly wake up in the night and am unable to drift off again for a good couple of hours, which leaves me feeling tired and drained the following day in spite of having gone to bed nice and early. As a result, I'm forever on the lookout for products which serve to aid relaxation, and there is nothing I love more than a good pamper session and a long wind-down before I climb under the bed covers. Of course, it's rarely possible to go the whole hog during the week, as the evenings pass quickly and most of us will go to bed earlier, so the ideal is to have something on hand that will do the work for you.

Enter, Origins Calm to Your Senses.

A rich, creamy face mask containing buckbean and St. Paul's Wort extract to target tense, stressed-looking skin, it is not dissimilar to the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, in that you massage in a generous amount prior to bedtime and leave it to do its work overnight. Barrier-building plant butters help to replenish the skin's moisture reserves while you sleep, leaving it plump, soft and hydrated upon awakening, while a relaxing blend of lavender and chamomile soothe and calm the senses helping you to drift off more easily.

I'm not the biggest fan of lavender, but I do find it very calming when I'm ready to go to bed. I often reach for the This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, which is very helpful, and definitely speeds up the time it takes me to get to sleep when I get into bed with my mind still racing. That said, the Calm to Your Senses mask doesn't have a strong lavender scent at all, and in fact, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it smelled like oranges (much like the brand's High Potency Night-A-Mins). It's a pleasure to apply, and sinks easily into the skin - I find that while it is rich, it is lighter than the Drink Up Intensive mask, so if that one was too heavy for you then don't be put off.

In the morning, there is no residue left on my skin, but thanks to its plumping, hydrating effects, I often find myself reaching for it regardless of whether I'm worried about sleeping or not. As to whether or not it helps me to drift off, the jury is still out - as I mentioned, it's rare that I have trouble in that department anyway, but it definitely does make me feel relaxed when I get into bed with it on. I love that it takes just a few short seconds to apply and doesn't have to be washed off, as this makes it a real time-saver that be can used anytime, anywhere.

I'll be doing a round-up of some of my favourite products for relaxation soon, as I seem to have built up quite the collection. Do you have any favourites?

xx

Hydrating Skincare: From Winter to Spring

The weather may be getting warmer, and the evenings longer and lighter, but that doesn't always mean you can slack off on the skincare front. In fact, a sudden change in the climate, and weather that can't make up its mind can wreak havoc on the skin, making it more important than ever to ensure that it's taken care of.

When it comes to hydration, I have a few trusty favourites that I know I can reach for whatever the time of year, and they will always get things sorted in no time. A common mistake a lot of people make is to think that if they haven't got any dry or flaky patches, then their skin is not dehydrated, but actually, this is a long way from the truth in many cases. Personally, I don't tend to suffer from the former, but I'd definitely put a tick in the latter box from time to time. Usual triggers for me are leaving makeup on for too long or skipping on exfoliation (I tend to use AHA toners rather than manual scrubs), but often, an unstable climate is to blame.

The Elemental Herbology Cell Food Serum* is a favourite of mine when I feel that my skin could do with a boost. Containing a powerhouse of proteins, vitamins and minerals, a couple of drops of this applied after my toner and before my moisturiser in the mornings make all the difference when it comes to radiance and vitality. On its own, it doesn't pack enough of a moisturising punch though, so I follow up with my go-to morning and evening moisturiser, Origins Make a Difference Rejuvenating Treatment Plus. With a deliciously orangey fragrance, this is a gel-cream, so although it's incredibly hydrating, it won't feel heavy or greasy on the skin like some products can. It sinks in like a dream, leaving my skin soft and plump, and I know it's a product I can always rely on to keep things in check.

The Balance Me Radiance Oil* is an extra little night time treat, and if my skin is feeling particularly out of sorts then I often mix a couple of drops of this in with my night cream. With a divine herbal scent, it sinks in fairly well - but I'd always recommend pinning your fringe back if you don't want to have to wash it in the morning. The Radiance Oil really does do what it says on the tin, and my complexion looks brighter and healthier after a couple of uses.

I really do find that hydration makes the biggest difference to the appearance of my skin as a whole, as when it's in need of a little extra moisture I look tired and drawn by comparison. It doesn't take much to get things back on track, and it's always worth the extra effort.

What are your go-to products when it comes to giving your skin a moisture boost?

Have you added any new products to your skincare arsenal of late?

xx

Balance Me Radiance Oil review
Elemental Herbology Cell Food Serum Review

Simple Skincare: Back to Basics for Blemish-Free Skin

Recently, the condition of my skin has been on the up, and while there are several factors I feel have contributed to this, skincare is right up there at the top of the list. As you'll probably know, I'm quite the skincare conoisseur, always adding to my collection, trying out new things and generally trying to do the best for my skin. I like to keep myself educated about what I should and shouldn't be using, and generally try to avoid brands, or at least products, which contain too many chemical nasties. But for months, my skin had been at its absolute worst, and it didn't seem to matter what I used on it - nothing was making a positive difference.

Until I decided to make quite a big change.

For a long time, I have found myself steering clear of gel cleansers, often without even giving them a chance. Usually, they contain sulphates, which create the foam so many people believe is necessary to get their skin clean. Actually, all they really tend to do is dry out the skin, stripping it of its natural oils. The result? Tight, uncomfortable skin, and over-active oil glands. The complete opposite of what you probably want.

The Origins Zero Oil Deep Pore Cleanser with Saw Palmetto and Mint is one of the few gel cleansers I've come across in which there isn't a sulphate in sight. Containing salicylic acid to stimulate exfoliation and unclog pores, and Aloe leaf juice to calm and soothe, this leaves my skin feeling clean, smooth, and best of all, oil free. I must admit, however, that it does leave my skin feeling ever-so-slightly tight after use, but it's nothing a bit of moisturiser doesn't sort out, and certainly doesn't seem to have had any detrimental effects on my skin - quite the opposite.

While Zero Oil makes the perfect morning cleanser for anyone with slightly oily skin, in the evenings I am usually in need of something a bit more heavy duty to get all of my makeup off as well as getting in there for a deep-down clean, and lately I've been turning to the Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel, which I picked up in duty-free on my way back to the UK last month. A gel in the tube, this becomes an oil when applied to the face, and emulsifies into a milk when water is added. The changing texture makes this the best of both worlds in all senses of the expression, leaving skin clean, soft and radiant. A definite winner in my book.

've really simplified down my skincare routine of late, and where before I was reaching for all manner of toners, serums, oils and masks, I'm now literally going straight from cleanser to moisturiser. Yes, I know, Caroline Hirons would give me a slap, but something I've really come to realise about my own skin is that less really is more. I wish I could keep on chopping and changing, trying out new products and using several in one go, but quite honestly, it has never done me any good, and my skin was always near-on

flawless until I started bombarding it with all those different ingredients. Funnily enough,  now that I am going straight for the moisturiser - namely Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief - my blemishes have become few and far between, and my whole complexion is generally looking miles better. I do think a lot of that is down to the moisturiser itself - a gel-cream that sinks into the skin immediately, without leaving any greasy residue. Normal creams are just too rich for my skin, and tend to do more harm than good, but this little beauty is giving my it all the nourishment and hydration it needs, no negative effects included.

Do you believe in simple skincare, or does layering up lots of goodies work better for you?

xx

The Weekend Beauty Wishlist

Well, there's a surprise - as per usual, my beauty wish list is packed full of skincare and not a lot else. It's not that I don't like makeup - I really do. But the quest for normal skin has got the better of me, and I just can't rest until I get it back! It's so ironic that back before I got into blogging, and (brace yourselves) would often go to sleep with a face full of makeup after a night out, relying on face wipes far too heavily the rest of the time, I had absolutely perfect skin with rarely a spot in sight. And yet now that I take care of it meticulously and have a healthier lifestyle in general, it basically hates me, and I hate it.

Anyway, enough of my moaning - we've been there, done that enough times already. But today I thought I'd put together a little list of the products that have been playing on my mind of late, one or two (!?) of which I'm hoping to pick up on my way through duty free. You may remember me doing a specifically duty free wish list a couple of weeks back, but times are a-changing and so is my shopping list. Saying that, I'd still love to get my hands on the majority of products featured, so I'm not really that fickle. Just greedy, perhaps.

A lot of the products on my list this time are for Clarins, a brand which is really, really appealing to me at the moment. I have always liked them, and grew up sneaking bits of my mother's products here and there, but it's only since trying their Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner that I've really been bitten by the Clarins bug. 

I'm in need of a new cleanser, so first on my list is the Pure Melt Cleansing Gel with Marula oil., which turns into an oil and then a milk upon application, melting away every last hint of makeup while leaving skin nourished and hydrated. I've also got my eye on the Lotus Face Treatment Oil for oily/combination skin. I do have a bit of an uncooperative t-zone, so a soothing oil which also aims to balance the skin and tone the pores would definitely come in handy. I've heard a lot about the HydraQuench Cream-Gel for normal to combination skin, and I find it notoriously difficult to get my hands on a good moisturiser for any skin type other than normal to dry, so I'm really intrigued by this one. Last of all, I quite fancy trying the Instant Smooth Self Tanning to add a bit of colour to my face, and the One-Step Facial Cleanser with Orange Extract, which sounds handy for travel as well as delicious-smelling.

It isn't just Clarins that's been calling my name lately. I'm already a big fan of the Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser, which does a fabulous job of keeping oil at bay in the mornings, but I feel that I need to add something more to my routine in the fight against blemishes. The Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarity Restoring Mask will fit nicely into my current routine, and hopefully will produce the desired results. I really trust in Ren skincare, as I have loved everything I've tried from them so far. If you haven't given them a go yet then I highly recommend starting with one of their masks. I'm also planning on testing out the Origins Make a Difference + Rejuvenating Treatment, which is supposed to be great for problem skin. I got a gift set from the Make a Difference range for Christmas, and was really impressed with the quality of the products and all that they did for my skin. Sadly though, this one wasn't included in the kit, and the ultra-rich moisturiser that was proved to be a bit oo heavy for my skin.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex II is new on the block, and in a nutshell claims to make you look younger overnight. Well, who wouldn't want that? Sadly, I fear this might be a slight exaggeration, but with fine lines and crinkles already beginning to appear around my eyes I'm not really in a position to argue. Frankly I'll try anything.

What's on your beauty shopping list this week?

xx

Detox Masks

 Laura Mercier Deep Cleansing Clay Mask  //  Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask  //  Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Purifying Facial Mask

Detox masks are an integral part of my skincare routine, and rarely a week passes by where I don't pop one on at least a couple of times to decongest my skin and keep it looking its best. If I am particularly breaking out then they are all the more essential, as the right mask can make a huge difference to active blemishes, bringing down the redness and sending them on their way a lot more quickly than if they were left to their own devices. My go-to mask in that situation is undoubtedly the Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Purifying Facial Mask, which provides a rapid solution for spot-prone, irritable and reactive skin. With mineral-rich Amozonian Clay to eliminate toxins while gently exfoliating and softening, oat flour and Allantoin to resolve congestion and Manuka honey, aloe and calendula for their powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial action, this little beauty packs a real punch, and has become an absolute lifesaver when my skin is in distress. I tend to use this just on my t-zone, as my cheeks are pretty clear, and leaving it on for fifteen to twenty minutes leaves things looking a lot calmer. If I have a particularly nasty-looking blemish or two then I have been known to pop this on over night, and the difference in the morning is quite remarkable, diminished in size and redness by a considerable amount.

For keeping things clear in the first place, I usually reach for the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask. This is great for maintenance, as the charcoal acts as a magnet to draw any nasty bits of debris and oil out of the pores, preventing them from forming into anything unsightly. Again, this one goes on for about fifteen minutes, and it dries to an absolutely rock-solid layer, so perhaps make sure you don't have to talk to anyone when you've got this on! A couple of downsides to this one - one, it doesn't manage to tackle the most stubborn blocked pores I have on my nose alone, but it does make extractions that bit easier (lovely - sorry!). And two, it's a bit of a pain to remove. It's almost black in colour too, so you can imagine that I've had to bin more than one or two muslin cloths since I first began using it. It's worth the effort though, as I find it a lot more effective than most other masks I've tried.

Last (and also least) is the Laura Mercier Deep Cleansing Clay Mask, which was probably one of the first face masks I ever picked up. Nowadays it's not the sort of brand I would usually turn to for skincare, and I must admit that this is not usually a mask I personally reach for, but I thought I'd share it with you because we are all different. It's basically your average clay mask, and I can't say I notice a huge difference after using it, but it's probably a good one for someone with minimal skin issues, as it will keep things clear if used regularly. It's pink too, which I know will appeal to some of you! 

I do love Laura Mercier as a brand, but I'm much more likely to be found browsing the makeup section, as there are certain ingredients I like to avoid in my skincare.

What are your go-to face masks in your skin's hour of need?

xx

Done and Dusted:January/February Empties

I don't often do empties posts, mainly as it seems to take me far longer to get to the bottom of a product than anyone else. I think I'd put it down to being easily bored, as no sooner have I ascertained that a product could be doing more for me, or that it doesn't quite live up to the hype, than I'm on the hunt for something new. The trouble is, finding something that 100% does do what it says on the tin can prove difficult, so at times it can be a fruitless search.
Anyway, more about that later. Let's see what I've 'got to the bottom of' over the past couple of months.

1. Redken All Soft Conditioner
This was one of those products that, for the first few weeks, seemed to be incredibly helpful to my straw-like ends, which were in a bad way back when I first had my hair ombred. Unfortunately, I can confirm that they are in more or less the same condition today -it seemed that after that initial period where it was making the difference that nothing else would, it suddenly ceased to have any effect whatsoever on my locks. My hair no longer began to feel silky upon application in the shower, and looked just as distressed once it had tried. On that basis, I'd have to say that I won't be repurchasing - it's not the cheapest of conditioners, and there are high-street brands that are just the same in terms of what they can do for me.

2. John Frieda Smooth Start Repairing Shampoo
I did quite like using this shampoo, but I think without a really good conditioner and mask, it's hard for any benefits it may be giving to shine through. I can't really say one way or the other what, if anything, it's done for me, but that's often the case with shampoos. They work best as part of a team, so while I might buy this again, I would feel inclined to get some of the other products in the range so that then I could really get a clear picture.

3. Origins Modern Friction
Now this one is something I do love. It's got a refreshing lemony scent, and is fantastic for those days when you've got a bt of flakey skin -which in my case tends to occur on my nose, if at all. Just massage a bit of this over the offending area for about a minute, add some water, rinse and voila - smooth skin. Repurchase? Why yes.

4. Origins Make a Difference Cleansing Milk
I got this for Christmas, as part of the Make a Difference Moisture Makers gift set. It smells absolutely divine (think fresh, juicy oranges), and was an absolute pleasure to use. The only downside is that, being a milk, I didn't find it that effective in removing makeup, so you end up using quite a lot of product as you have to double cleanse. On that basis, I unfortunately probably wouldn't purchase again, but if they made this into a cream/hot cloth cleanser then I'd be all over it.

5. Origins Make a Difference Skin Rejuvenating Serum
I absolutely adored this. Like the cleansing milk, it had that same fantastically fruity fragrance, and it left my skin feeling SO hydrated, soft and plumped. I would love to repurchase this and keep it for either morning or evening, as I feel that I need to be using an anti-ageing one too in my daily routine.

6. Origins Gin Zing Eye Cream
This is one of those products that was really hyped up, and at first I thought it was a complete disappointment. However, as I mentioned recently, I then tried a couple of other eye creams, and it was only  when I came back to Gin Zing that I noticed the difference it made. I wouldn't say it has any long-term benefits, but when you pop some on in the mornings it certainly brightens the under-eye area and improves the appearance of dark circles.. Don't expect it to completely banish them though, and the same goes for puffiness. But then, can you show me an eye cream that truly does? I think I will repurchase this, as it's become a morning time staple, and I'm yet to come across anything I'd replace it with.

Which products have you used up this month?
Hope you're having a lovely week.

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Elemental Herbology Eye Elixir  -  Mac Lipstick in Party Parrot (Strength Collection)  -  Mac Lipstick in Strong Woman (Strength Collection)  -  Half Floral Tee, Topshop  -  Floral Sequin Vest, Topshop  -  Spike Stud Set, Accessorize  -  Spike Bangles  -  Elemental Herbology Facial Glow  -  Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Gel Mask  -  Origins No Puffery  -  Cream Cut-Out Shoes, Miss Selfridge  -  Fringe Crop Top  -  Mint Satchel, ASOS

This week, I've found myself in need of some nice new summery tops to pair with my huge catalogue of existing shorts. I tend to get bored of tops very quickly, to the point that when I get a couple of new ones I can't remember for the life of me what I actually used to wear before. Anyway, this week Topshop have got some lovely offerings in their new-in section, which remind me of summer festivals. Need I say more?

I also stumbled upon these gorgeous cream cutwork shoes from Miss Selfridge. Being something of a shortie, I'm always glad of a bit of extra height, so these will see me right through S/S 2013, day and night. To top off the new additions to my wardrobe (well...sort of) are some studded jewellery (you can never have too much) and the token Spring mint satchel. Mint is by far my favourite shade for the warmer months, so I can't wait to break it out again this year.

Beauty-wise, I seem to have been getting a bit out of depth. Champagne lips, lemonade pockets, as some might say. Basically,  everything I want costs a fortune. The main culprit is currently Elemental Herbology, a brand I have been eager to try for a while now. You may have noticed their Facial Detox mask on last week's wishlist, and this time it's the Eye Elixir and the Facial Glow Mask. I don't think I could bring myself to pay full price for them, as I am strongly of the believe that once you go even higher-end, you won't want to go back. It's a downward spiral, a dangerous game. Anyway, luckily for me, I was able to pick up the eye Elixir at little more than half the RRP, along with the Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Gel Mask, so those should at least feed my skincare craving for...a day?

Last but not least are some absolutely gorgeous, punchy shades of lipstick from the Mac Strength Collection (Party Parrot and Strong Woman), and Origins No More Puffery, because I woke up with THE puffiest eyes ever this morning, and that can't be happening again.

I hope you're all enjoying your weekend, and I'm extremely jealous of all you lovelies off to blogger meet-ups. I hope you all have a wonderful time, and for those of you with other plans, or staying at home, fingers crossed you have a relaxing time too.

What's on your wishlist this week?

xx

Origins Make A Difference Moisture Makers Gift Set

Being something of an Origins fan, I was thrilled to receive the 'Moisture Makers' gift set as a Christmas present. If you're new to Origins, then these little kits are a great way to dip your toe in and give some products a try without committing  to the full-size versions, and they're equally handy if you're already hooked and just fancy giving something else a go.

The Moisture Makers Gift Set contains:

50ml Make a Difference Rejuvenating Cleansing Milk

50ml Make a Difference Rejuvenating Treatment Lotion

15ml Make a Difference Skin Rejuvenating Serum

50ml Make a Difference Plus Ultra-Rich Rejuvenating Cream

A quick heads up for you - I have always considered my skin to be pretty 'normal'.

The first thing I noticed upon cracking open the cleanser was the wonderful, fruity smell. If you like oranges, then this little set will be just your cup of tea, as upon further investigation I discovered that both the Treatment Lotion and the Skin Rejuvenating Serum share the same deliciously tangy aroma. The Ultra-Rich Rejuvenating Cream differs slightly on that score, with more of an earthy, yet still citrus-y scent.

The Rejuvenating Cleansing Milk is packed with organic olive oil and plant glycerin to instantly melt away make-up and other debris, while Rose of Jericho,Trehalose and Sea Haricots 'form a skin-pampering buffer'.

I like to massage the product into dry skin before removing with a warm muslin cloth to take away any leftover traces of dirt and grime. Being a cleansing milk, it's creamy but light in consistency, meaning I prefer to double cleanse just to be sure my skin is the cleanest it can be. I find that this leaves it feeling really lovely and soft, all ready to drink in the next product in the regime.

Next, you can apply the Skin Rejuvenating Treatment Lotion by applying some to a large cotton wool pad and sweeping it across your face and neck. The same combo of Rose of Jericho, trehalose and Sea Haricots  are designed to help skin rebound from any dehydration, while an Oceanic Flora helps improve the appearance of UV damage and environmental exposure.

I had always put off investing in a serum, unsure that they were really worth the money, so I was keen to give the Skin Rejuvenating Serum a go. You only need the tiniest amount, and it absorbs into the skin really quickly.

For anyone who is new to serums, the point is that they contain much smaller molecules than moisturisers, which are able to penetrate deeper into the skin, getting nutrients further down where they are needed the most.  Due to this, they can help to both combat and prevent a variety of skin complaints, where a moisturiser can only hydrate and seal in moisture.

Last but not least comes the Ultra Rich Rejuvenating Cream, thick in consistency and, as the name suggests, very rich. While all of these products are designed to be used both morning and night, I tend to slather this one on just before bed to give my skin a real treat, replacing it with another Origins moisturiser, the A Perfect World SPF25 Age Defence Moisturiser with White Tea. This is mostly down to the fact that I require SPF on a day to day basis, and not all of my foundations and tinted moisturisers can provide it.

While I was following the complete regime, I found that I wasn't noticing a huge difference in my skin, so I had a quick scan of the ingredients lists and noticed that the Rejuvenating Treatment does contain denatured alcohol. Alcohol is known to be quite drying, so I was surprised to find it in a product from this particular range, especially since the lotion itself is specifically recommended for dehydration.  After swapping to my Suti Peppermint Water Organic Facial Toner, I quickly noticed an improvement in the condition of my skin. I have been following this routine for over three weeks now, and it has actually been something of an eye-opener for me . Just because your skin is not covered with flaky, dry patches, it doesn't mean that it's not gasping for a drink. Mine now feels so wonderfully plump, soft and smooth that it's clear that it had been muddling through, feeling dehydrated and thirsty, for quite some time.

Unfortunately, this particular set was a Christmas offering, and is no longer available. However, you can find all of the full-size products online on the Origins and Boots websites as well as in-store and at any Origins counter. Do keep your eyes open though, as the Origins website often have deals on, ranging from limited edition gift sets to free samples with your orders.

Have you tried any of the Make a Difference range?

What are your favourite Origins products?

xx

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

With this being my favourite face mask, and having raved about it in both my October Favourites and Current Skincare Routine videos on Youtube, as well as my Top Ten Hero Products of 2012 video, I was sure that I'd already written a rave review on here to share this little treat with you. But when asked about this mask during the bbloggers chat on Twitter this Wednesday, I went in search of the link, only to find that I'd made a huge faux pas and not given this gem the write up it deserved.

So, in light of that, I thought it was probably time to rectify the situation and share my thoughts.

A bit of background on Origins as a brand.

Their products are formulated with cerified natural and organic ingredients, as well as 100% natural essential oils, and without parabens, phthalates, mineral oils and other nasties. They also manufacture using a combination of renewable resources, wind energy and earth-friendly practices.

If you're a regular reader then you'll know that I'm a huge fan of natural and naturally derived skincare, which is one of the reasons I love this brand as much as I do.

The Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask is a detoxing mask designed to give your pores a good, deep-down clean, removing all the dirt and debris deposited by environmental pollutants that leave the skin looking less than its best. Containing the active ingredient charcoal, which acts like a magnet to draw out  pore-cloggers, this mask also packs white clay to absorb pollutants, and lecithin, which will help to dissolve any impurities.

Having felt quite let down by many a face mask in the past, repeatedly feeling that they hadn't lived up to their claims, I was keen to give this one a go and see if it could impress.

Well, it certainly did that.

The product itself is thick in consistency, and comes in a transparent plastic tube, making it easy to squeeze out the amount you want. It is unscented, meaning it smells like most clay masks - in my opinion, not the most pleasant of aromas, but I'm glad to know that I'm putting something fairly natural on my skin as opposed to something packed full of additives.  In order to get the best results, Origins advise that you steam the skin before use, opening the pores and making them more receptive to the active ingredients. You can do this by either popping a towel over your head and standing over a bowl of boiling water, or simply by laying a hot wash cloth over your skin for a while beforehand. I must admit, I do prefer the former method, as I find that it yields far more impressive results.

Next, you pop a thick layer of the mask onto the skin, avoiding the eye area, as always. The product takes about ten minutes to dry, hardening a great deal in the process - so much so that I struggle to move my facial muscles at all with it on. Personally, I rather like that, as I feel that it's really getting to work on my skin.

To remove, soak a wash cloth in hot water and lay it over your face, allowing it to soak up the charcoal mask. This will require repeating a fair few times, but is the best way to remove the product as it will have left your skin feeling quite sensitive, meaning scrubbing it off is not advisable. I do usually use a clean cloth to remove any remaining residue in the end, before popping on some toner and moisturiser to finish.

The results of this mask are quite incredible compared to anything else I've used, leaving pores I didn't even know were blocked suddenly looking clean as a whistle. I love the look and feel of soft, smooth, purified skin it leaves me with, and it has fast become a weekly staple in my skincare routine, helping  to keep any nasty toxins at bay and avoid blemishes and breakouts. Any excess oil is absorbed, and pores appear toned

The one thing this couldn't do for me was completely clear the stubborn blocked pores on my nose, which have been lurking around since time began, but is does make them vastly easier to remove manually (sorry, I know it's not the most pleasant of thoughts!). I usually do this after removing the mask, and before toning.

In all, this is a fabulous mask, and one I will buy again and again. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to give their skin a really good detox, or who is tired of disappointing clarifying masks.

Final rating:  9/10 

xx

Origins Gin Zing Eye Cream

It's no secret that I suffer from puffy eyes and eye bags, and that I will try pretty much anything in order to rid myself of them. The reason I find them so distressing is because I haven't always had them - everything was fine, and then I woke up one morning about six months ago, and there they were. They have been refusing to budge ever since. I eat well, sleep well, don't drink much any more and don't smoke, so having covered all of those bases, my only option is to plough my way through product after product on a quest to find the one (if it exists) that works for me.

As a fan of Origins skincare, and having heard many good things about their Gin Zing eye cream, I was itching to give it a try. Gin Zing contains caffeine, Panax Ginseng, Magnolia extract and natural optic brighteners, which work together to - in the words of Origins themselves -  'wake up, refresh and restore radiance to tired eyes'. It's also supposed to reduce the look of dark circles while making the appearance of bags and puffiness less visible, so needless to say, I couldn't wait to put it to the test.

The cream itself is a pale salmon colour, and contains little reflective particles, which helps to counteract and blue/purple tones under the eyes. It is light in texture, sinking easily into the skin. It's not sticky in the slightest, and makeup applies easily on top of it, gliding on smoothly.

So, now onto the most important part:

Does it do the job?

Well, unfortunately for me, the answer is a reluctant no. I wanted so badly for this to work, especially with it being from one of my very favourite and most trusted skincare brands, but in all honesty, I can't see that it makes - or has made - much of a difference. I still find myself catching a glimpse of my eyes in the mirror an hour or two later and feeling overwhelmingly frustrated at my tired looking eyes, so I think that says it all really. There's no denying that it certainly does keep the under-eye area hydrated, and perhaps it does have some effect, but if that's the case then I have to say, it's very minimal.

I still finding myself using this cream on a day to day basis, partly due to wishful thinking and partly because I can't bear to fork out on yet another eye cream that doesn't really deliver - at least, not in the way that I had hoped.

At £21.00 for a 15ml pot, it's fair to say I won't be repurchasing this particular product. However, as a brand, I am very much a fan of Origins, so I'm hoping that perhaps I might have more luck with their No Puffery under-eye mask.

Have any of you lovelies tried Gin Zing or No Puffery? If so, what were your thoughts?

And what are your favourite products for tired eyes, puffiness and dark circles?

xx

New Video: Current Skincare Routine

Hi lovelies, I'm back with my second Youtube video after a few disasters with making it! I actually originally filmed this last week, but it was too long and therefore rejected by Youtube - proof if ever I needed any that I can talk for England! Anyway, being the inexperienced video editor that I am, instead of managing to cut out the bits I didn't want I only succeeded in butchering it, and it's taken until today for me to find some daylight and some free time at home in order to try again! In fact, it took me another three attempts today - the first time the radio started blasting halfway through, and the second my laptop ran out of battery! Clearly not my day for filming, but we got there in the end! :)

I'm aware that some of you might possibly be interested in hearing about my skincare routine but won't fancy watching the video. Well, if that's you then please don't feel left out, as I will be doing a blog post about the very same on Monday. I was going to include some info about the products now, but as you can imagine, having made three attempts at producing this video, I now need a little break from talking about them!

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend so far, possibly doing a bit of Christmas shopping and getting into the spirit of things. Some say it's too early. I am not one of them.

Whatever you're doing lovelies, enjoy yourselves!

xx

Origins Modern Friction

I have never been one to spend a lot of money on exfoliants, as I have always been of the belief that one was more or less the same as another. Truth be told, I have never felt that they made that much of a difference to my skin, although I have, on occasion, noticed a momentary brightening after use, having obviously got my circulation going as I was massaging the product over my face. I bought the Origins Modern Friction on a whim , intrigued by its natural ingredients, but not expecting much (at the the time I had never tried anything from Origins before). 

Modern Friction is touted by Origins as 'nature's gentle dermabrasion'. It is so-called because it uses rice starch, as opposed to coarse chemical crystals, to slough away dead skin cells, thus making it that much gentler, and pores and lines are supposed to appear greatly diminished after use. Modern Friction contains lemon oil for illumination, and vitamin C to mop up any nasty free radicals. Oh - and it also helps to remove any uneven patches, signs of skin damage and discolouration.  All this, sans irritation and redness? Sounds good to me.

So, how did it fare?

The first time I used this, I wasn't all that impressed. In consistency, it seemed like any other exfoliator, although it was thicker than most I've tried, and it also had a pleasant lemony scent.

To use, you massage this onto clean, dry skin (you can leave your skin damp if you've got particularly sensitive skin) in circular motions, before adding a dash of water and working it into a lather. Rinse, pat dry and you're all done.

When I had finished using this for the first time, I didn't notice a huge difference. That was, until the next day. When I was applying my makeup in the morning, I was pleasantly surprised by how radiant and glowing my skin looked, and upon closer inspection I could see that my skin and pores looked really clean.

But it was the second time I used it that it really succeeded in impressing me.

I had some dry, flaky patches on my nose where I had been trying to clear some forever-blocked pores there, and nothing would shift it. Eventually, I decided to give it a quick exfoliate with Modern Friction, but I didn't expect it to make a huge difference, as when I have tried to exfoliate really dry/flakey patches in the past it has only improved the situation by about 20%.

Well, I was wrong. Very wrong. 

I used the product in the same way as I had done before, this time concentrating on my nose, and when I washed the product away I was amazed to see that I  had a perfectly smooth,silky soft nose, without a flake in sight. Ah-mazing.

Since then, I've been using Modern Friction Twice a week, and it has fast become an absolute must-have for me. It's rare for me to suffer from dry skin, but this is not just for people who have this problem. It leaves my skin looking absolutely glowing with health, and I haven't had a single spot since I started using this! Granted, I have been using it in conjunction with the Origins Clear Improvement mask (review coming up), but between the two of them they have done an incredible job.

Have you tried anything from the Origins skincare range? What did you think?

xx

Youtube: Mini October Favourites Video!

Why hi. Just thought I'd share my very first Youtube video with you, which was made and uploaded this evening.

I was a bit nervous about posting this out there for all to see. I think that some people can take bloggers and Youtube videos in the wrong way, especially if they don't know much about the online beauty community, but I also think that too many of us bloggers worry about it too much! It's just a bit of fun, after all, and if we are supportive of our friends' and families' ventures then they probably will be of ours, too. That's what love and friendship is all about. If they are not, then they are probably not worth your time anyway. 

Just my tuppence.

Anyway, as this was my first video, I decided to do a shortened version of my favourites for October - I did include many more products in this month's Favourites post (here), but in the video I have just chosen my top five of the bunch. Now, ordinarily, I would go into more detail about the products featured in the video in this post, as I know that some people prefer to read than to watch, but as I have already blogged about it you can just click on that little linky for all the juicy details.

I know that the lighting and image quality isn't great, but since I am new to this malarky I hope you can forgive that for the time being!

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

Weekend Wishlist

Pony Skin Bag  -  Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask  -  Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum  -   MUA Brow Kit  - Jewel Embellished Jumper  - Dip Dye Jeans  -  MUA Undressed Palette  -  Studded Sandals  -  Deco Lace Maxi  -  Leopard Pumps  -  Smashbox Photo Finish Targeted Pore and Line Primer  -  Geometric Print Jeans  -   Indian Night Jasmine Fragrance Mist

Behold, my Weekend Wishlist has landed.

This week, it's all about comfy embellished knots and cosy jeans for the coming winter months. Actually, I haven't been a 'jeans person' for a while now, ditching them in favour of tights and dresses for many a cold day, but A/W 2012 brings with it such fabulous options, such as this gorgeous ombre pair, that who am I to resist - let's be honest, jeans will always be the most comfortable and chilly day-friendly option.

There are lots of beauty bits on my wishlist this week, including the new MUA Pro Brow Kit and the popular Undressed Palette. Actually, I want pretty much everything in the new MUA collection, which is due out on September 26th and features a multitude of treats. Favourites of mine are the amazing Nail Constellations, cream blushes and their version of the Laura Mercier shimmer brick.

I've also been coveting the Origins Clear Improvements mask of late. Many of you will know that my skin has been going a bit crazy recently (probably self-inflicted as I have really been going to town experimenting with various new products!) and this little gem claims that it uses charcoal to act as a magnet, drawing dirt and debris out of the pores and leaving the skin free to breathe again. My pores are actually quite good, besides the ones on my nose, but those ones do seem to be permanently clogged. When I do manage to get them clear, it doesn't last two seconds, so I'm intrigued to see if this beaut can live up to it's claims.

Speaking of Pores, I am also after the Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum, which basically claims to do the same thing, only without the charcoal. It also guarantees to leave the pores 58% smaller within two weeks, which is a pretty bold claim, so again, I think this deserves to be put to the test!

What'son your wishlist this weekend?

xx

Beauty SOS (September)

In last months's Beauty SOS (here), I asked for you lovely people to call upon your vast experience with beauty products and help me out with four beauty emergencies. Let's do a quick recap on what those were, the suggestions I received and whether or not I've had much luck with them, before moving onto this month's beauty nightmares!

I asked you to suggest the following:

1. A good clay face mask

Suggestions included Origins Clear Improvement, Queen Helene Mud Pack Mask and Ren Invisible Pores Detox Mask.

Well, I must admit that I've been trying to stash away some pennies this month, so unfortunately I haven't yet been able to try out all of these suggestions. I did have a look for the Queen Helene mask, but as yet I haven't been able to find it, so if anyone knows where I might be able to get it then please do let me know in the comments below. As for the Ren and Origins masks, I have been wanting to try both for a long while now, but as they don't come cheap Im am holding off on purchasing them until next month. This month, however, I have tried out a couple of other masks, those being the Laura Mercier Clay Mask and the Nourifusion Multivitamin Clarifying Mask, as I was able to get them both for a good price, so I will be popping up reviews of those two in the not too distant future. If you were one of the lovelies who suggested the other masks then please don't think that I have ignored your advice as I genuinely am itching to try them and will be doing so just as soon as my bank balance allows.

2. A moisturising facemask

I was given one suggestion for this, which was Clarins HydraQuench Cream Mask, and I actually did purchase this today, so I'm looking forward to trying that out.

3. Something to banish dry lips once and for all

Some of you suggested coconut oil, and one of you suggested Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Lip Protectant. I'm already a huge fan of coconut oil for various other uses, and I do take a spoonful every day for it's wonderful health benefits, so I was more than happy to slather this yummy-tasting stuff on my lips. I was also given a sample size of just the normal Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Cream this month (review here) so I've been giving that a go, and between the two of them I must say they have left my lips feeling softer, smoother and without any flakiness. Hurrah!

4. An amazing deep-conditioning hair mask

I was recommended Aussie Three-Minute Miracle, which I actually already use, and again, coconut oil.

Now, I had tried coconut oil on my hair once before, and I must admit that it really didn't seem to make much of a difference. But I thought I'd give it another go, since many of you swear by it and, as I mentioned before, I am very much a fan of it for other uses. Well, I'm sorry to say that for whatever reason, it just doesn't work for me. It left my hair feeling limp and slimy despite a couple of good, thorough washes, and after I did eventually manage to get my locks clean they were much the same as they had been before the treatment. My hair seems to be resistant to EVERYTHING I put on it, so I guess there is just no helping me! :(

Now for this month's beauty emergencies. The idea of this series, by the way, is that you can all gain a bit of inspiration from the lovely suggestions left by others in the comments box and perhaps find a solution to a beauty problem of your own, so do pop back and have a look to see what ideas other bloggers have got, and let me know if any of them work for you.

1. A Blemish-Fighting Product.

I keep getting blemishes on my chin of late, since my t-zone has become more oily, so I'm on the hunt for something that'll clear the little blighters up quick-smart.

2. A Good Volumising Product for Hair

I am after something that will give me big hair without any stickiness or crispiness, be it a shampoo, spray or something else.

I'm just going to stick with those two for this month, as I have already been chatting to some of you on Twitter about a couple of other things and received some great suggestions for those. I will be sure to include the details in next month's Beauty SOS, along with my verdict on the suggestions I receive for these two, and I will also strive to get my hands on those facemasks from last month and try them out!

If you have any ideas for this month's SOS issues then do please leave a comment below with the deets.

Hope everyone has a great week!

xx

Weekend Wishlist

London Pop-up book, £5, Topshop/ Printed Headband, £10, River Island/ Caudalie Divine Oil, £25 (100ml), Caudalie/ Nars American Dream Palette, $55, Nars/ Tiger Beret, £10, Topshop/ Studded Bralet, £26, Miss Selfridge/ Cake Cases, £1.99 for 54, Hobby Craft/ Tribal Shorts, £32, Miss Selfridge/ Ram Head Studs, £5, Topshop/ Origins Spot Remover Blemish  Treatment Pads, £24, Boots/ Leopard Skater Skirt, £18, River Island/ Chain Peplum Top, £39, Rare at Topshop

Hi lovelies, hope you've all been having a great weekend so far and making the most of the sunshine. Apparently, it's going to last throughout the remainder of August, so hopefully that means finally getting some wear out of all the gorgeous Summer pieces we have been stockpiling since Easter!

I must admit, for once in my life, I felt a little bit uninspired by the 'New in' sections this week. I'm not sure whether it's because all my favourite clothing and accessories stores are a bit 'in limbo' at the moment, with a mixture of Summer's leftovers and new Autumn/Winter bits, but I think that must be it. Understandably, after the lack of sunny weather so far this year, I'm not really ready to start thinking about my Winter wardrobe yet. However, aside from clothes, there are certainly a few other random bits I'd be more than happy to get my mitts on, whatever the weather.

Origins Spot Remover Blemish Pads are not something I would have needed to consider purchasing until recently. Even as a teenager, I had perpetually good skin, and luckily for me, outbreaks have always been rare. However, more recently, my skin has been starting to play up a bit. I think this is probably down to my recent experimentation with skincare, and I now need to let my skin settle down into a routine, but while I am doing that I would very much like to try out these pads. Origins always come up trumps with their skincare, and I have heard good things about these, such as that they are gentle and do not strip the skin as many blemish-fighting products can do. They are, however, a bit on the pricey side at £24.

I've also got my eye on the Caudalie Divine Beauty Oil, which may sound odd given that I was just talking about my forehead being a bit oily, but I have again heard fantastic things about this and am keen to give it a try. It's a multi-use oil, so it can be used on the body and hair, as well as the face.

I'm still feeling a bit patriotic after the Queen's Jubilee and the Olympic Games, so I fell in love with the idea of the pop-up London book from Topshop. Granted, I am not a tourist, but I really like the idea of having a pop-up London landscape at my fingertips. Plus, I love books and like to collect quirky and unique ones from time to time.

I have been promising myself I'd find the time to bake for ages now, and I finally did  last night, when I made some scrummy banana bread. The hubby was more than impressed, and it has inspired me to get back into baking on a more regular basis (not TOO regular though, ashaving cake around all the time can only end in tears!). Next up, I'm planning to make some beautiful cupcakes in a selection of flavours. I'm thinking cookies and cream, caramelised apple and cinnamon, and peaches and cream, but if you've got any other suggestions then I would absolutelylove to hear about them in the comments box below! :) Anyway, the plan is to get a few of these pretty cake cases and a cake stand and to hold a little afternoon tea party, because let's face it, who doesn't love those?

The Nars American Dream Eyeshadow palette also caught my eye this month. Do I need to explain why? I don't think so, but let's just say that it's pretty, and it's Nars. As much as I love my beauty products and makeup, the one thing that I just can't seem to get the hang of is creating pretty looks with eyeshadow, and it really annoys me, so I'm hoping to be inspired to try again. Sadly, this is not yet available in the UK, but click on the link and you can buy it from the U.S. site.

I won't go on about the clothes, as I think they are pretty self explanatory. I just like them. Bralets, peplum tops, animal jewellery and Aztec print have all featured heavily across my Wishlists in recent weeks, and these are just the latest creations I have been admiring.

Are you ready to start stocking up on winter warmers, or are you still stubbornly holding out for more sunshine?

What's on your wishlist this week?

xx