Video: Added Extras #3 | My Evening Pamper Routine

Normally these types of posts are blog posts, but as I was having a pamper evening last night, I thought it would be fun to film a different type of video than I normally do (a chatty sit down). It took me ages to film but is actually my shortest video ever haha, so I totally appreciate the amount of work it goes into videos like this!

I hope you enjoy this different style of video - please subscribe to my channel if you do. And if you have any other video suggestions let me know :) xxx

Review: Liz Earle | Instant Boost Skin Tonic |

Liz Earle - Instant Boost Skin Tonic - 200 ml - £13.25

It's no secret that I love this Boots Botanics toner, but after finishing up my second bottle the beauty blogger in me wanted to try something new. After falling in love with Cleanse and Polish around two years ago I decided that Liz Earle would be a great brand to delve back into and popped down to John Lewis to replenish my stocks of C+P along with a bottle of the Instant Boost Skin Tonic.

The packaging is superb for traveling as it features a nifty screw top, but I kind of wish I had gotten the spray bottle option as they are my favourite way to apply a toner. I use this as my morning toner by pouring the liquid onto a cotton pad and sweeping over my face after washing with Origins Zero Oil face wash and prior to a day time serum.  Like all Liz Earle products it includes lots of naturally active ingredients - in this particular product there is organic aloe vera, calendula, rose-scented geranium, cucumber and natural vitamin E. 

The main aims of this product is that it should refresh, sooth and brighten. I certainly agree it is really refreshing and gentle on the skin while featuring floral notes with a light fresh scent of cucumber. However, I haven't seen much progress in the brightening aspect. 

It is suitable for all skin types which I would agree with as it is non drying due to the lack of alcohol in the ingredients and very gentle, however for those of us who are more oily/combo skinned I would prefer something that does a little more. It is a great product for those who don't have many particular skin concerns but I like my skin care to really feel like it is doing something to actively improve its condition.

If you have normal to dry skin which is pretty well behaved then this would be a fabulous toner but personally I'm looking for something more.

What is your favourite product from Liz Earle? xxx

November Favourites

This post is quite late as we are nearly a week into December, however I had a few things I wanted to share this month that I've really enjoyed. These type of posts are one of my favourite to read, so wanted to pop my two cents up on the internet too.

Origins Drink Up Intensive: In a recent empties, I finished a sample of the normal Drink Up mask which I really enjoyed using. Considering my skin has been so dehydrated recently I decided to pick up a full size of the intensive version to give me that extra boost. It's worked wonders, smells divine and a little goes a long way. I'll be sure to post a proper review soon.

The Body Shop Spiced Pumpkin shower gel: I picked this up on a whim when I walked past the shop and saw they were having a sale. I bought this for half price at £2 along with 'Fuzzy peach' and am really enjoying using it. It's not the usual kind of shower gel I would go for as it isn't moisturising but the sweet yet spicy scent is perfect for this time of year.

Boots Botanics Rosewater Toning Spritz: After finishing up my Lush toner I wanted to try something new as I wasn't completely wowed by it. I picked this up after seeing a recommendation of it (can't remember which blogger, sorry!) and am so pleased I did. It has a strong rose scent which I enjoy and anything with rose water seems to agree with and aid my skin. I also really like the nozzle on it as it delivers a fine mist, which the Lush toner didn't. A full review of this is to come.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish: I know I've already waxed lyrical about this, but after finishing my bottle of it I tried out a new cleanser as I like to keep my options open. However I missed this, picked up another bottle and fell in love again. I think I will always have to have this in stock as it is definitely a holy grail item for me. It takes off makeup with ease, smoothes and softens my skin and has really helped with my dehydration issues too. Read my full review here.

MAC MSF in Lightscapade: A full review was recently put up on this product here, but I couldn't not mention it in my favourites. I've used it pretty much every day and think it is just so pretty both in the pan and on my face! It is finely milled, easily blended and very buildable - you can use it for a subtle shimmer or layer it on for more definition. It's so lovely and perfect for any occasion.

Tea variations: I've always loved a good cup of tea but recently I've branched into new flavours. I'm particularly enjoying Earl Grey at the moment (from Aldi) along with cinnamon tea (Holland and Barrat) with half a teaspoon of honey, which is great for this time of year. The latter choice was influenced by Sammi :)

Essie Carry On: Featured on a recent NOTD, this is a perfect shade for autumn/winter. It goes with loads of outfits, and complements the berry tones I've been enjoying wearing on my lips. I don't own anything else like it and think its a great addition to my nail varnish collection.

OPI 'I Lily Love You' (R) and 'Be A Dahlia Won't You' (L): Firstly, how cute are the names of OPI polishes?! I received this last christmas as a gift from my sister in a set of 3 and they are just so me. If I was a nail polish I would definitley be a combination of the two. They are beautiful on their own but this month I've been loving layering the glitter over the top of the hot pink as they really compliment each other. I'm sure there will be a NOTD post dedicated to them soon.

Do you like any of these products? What were in your favourites for November? xxx

Delights for Dehydrated Skin

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair // Origins Drink Up Intensive // Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish // Boots Vitamin E eye cream // Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief // Neal's Yard Frankincense Hydrating Cream

A few weeks back, I noticed that no matter how I applied my make up I always ended up looking cakey. Even the most moisturising of my bases were no longer dewy and just weren't sitting right on my skin. I realised that together with being ill, the colder weather and central heating, my skin had become dehydrated. As I have a relatively oily t-zone I would usually shy away from hydrating products, but I have learnt that there is a difference between dry and dehydrated skin. Combating the problem of dehydration can also help to balance out oilyness which is a plus point for me! I had a few products already in my arsenal but picked up a couple more to get me through the colder seasons.

For cleansing, Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish is a great natural choice for all skin types to take off make up and cleanse skin with a creamy formula including cocoa butter to nourish skin. The two part system keeps skin soft and radiant - this is my second bottle and will definitely always have a spare in my stocks. Advanced Night Repair is my serum of choice as it delivers hydration yet sinks in quickly and easily. It has quickly become a holy grail product for me and I alternate it every other night.

Over the top of my serum is a new purchase. My first product from Neals Yard (after hearing Hannah rave about them!) is the Frankincense Hydrating Cream, which I use as my night cream. It is rich and takes a little while to sink but a little goes a long way and I've been impressed so far. For a lighter alternative or as a day cream, I've been using a little pot of Clinique's Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief which I was previously using over the Summer. As it is a gel like consistency it is light yet hydrating and leaves skin smooth and primed for make up.

For an intense boost once a week or so I bought Origins Drink Up Intensive mask - I tried the original formula before and enjoyed it but thought this one would really suit me for winter. It smells amazing and again a little goes a long way. Finally, for my eyes is another new purchase, however this one is more purse friendly! Boots Vitamin E eye cream is my first eye cream in ages and I have been using this morning and night to help my concealer sit better under my eyes. Not the most amazing of creams but definitely not the worst.

That's my round up of what I've been using to treat my skin recently, what products would you suggest for this time of year? xxx

All Used Up #3

As you can see, this time around I have loads of empties! I've been really pleased with myself using up my odds and sods so I can kind of justify spending money on new things :) I best get on with it otherwise this post is going to be ridiculously long!

Garnier Body Intensive 7 day Moisturiser in Mango: This version is for dry skin, which I suffer from especially on my legs. I really enjoyed using this as it is lightweight but still nourishing. I used this a lot over the summer and have just repurchased a bottle in the Shea butter version for extra dry skin for the upcoming cold months. They are normally on offer too which is a plus.

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush: Love Batiste and couldn't live without dry shampoo, there is always one in my stocks!

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Enhancing Conditioner: Hair care products always seem to last me an age so I was pleased to finally use this up. It's nice enough but I didn't see a massive difference to my hair or highlights so probably wouldn't repurchase.

Radox Moisture Shower Therapy: I normally get shower gels when they are on offer in the supermarket just like this one. I've tried it before and liked it as it has a nice scent and helps to moisturise my skin. It's not the most luxurious of shower gels but it does the job so I would repurchase.

Schwarzkopf Gliss Asia Straight Shampoo: The packaging is lovely and the actual product is quite nice too. I never notice a massive difference with straightening shampoos so I wouldn't repurchase this but other bits from the range such as the Gliss Liquid Silk Gloss range are really good for a great price. You can normally pick this up for a bargain at home bargains too.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish: I wax lyrical about this all the time - it is amazing and a definite repurchase! I used this bottle up quite a while ago but have already got another bottle on the go. Read my detailed review here.

Garnier Ultra Dry Mineral Deodorant: This had a great smell, did the job and I liked the packaging. Not much more to say about a deodorant apart from I would repurchase.

Rimmel Perfect Match Foundation: The first make up product I've used up in a long time! I really enjoyed this foundation and think it is perfect for long days as it stays put and gives a lovely finish so perfect for nights out or a meal. I would say it is medium to full coverage with a satin like finish. A definite repurchase.

Clinique Take the Day Off Make up remover (travel size): A little of this goes a long way and it is one of the most effective eye make up removers I've used. The only downside is the oily residue, however I would still repurchase. 

Origins Clear Improvements Mask: Origins is such an amazing brand and I can't fault any of their products that I've tried. This mask really did the job of decongesting my skin as well as helping to mattify it. It may be pricey but this is definitely on my shopping list.

Origins Drink Up Mask (sample): The smell of this is amazing and it hydrated my skin really well. I just purchased the Drink Up Intensive mask for winter and am loving it so far. I recommend this to everyone.

Nivea Daily Essentials Cleansing Wipes: I use wipes to take off the excess of my make up before cleansing, not as an actual way to clean my face. These were good at getting off a lot of the excess and stayed wet for ages which can sometimes be a let down with other wipes. I've moved onto cleansing waters now but these were good as far as wipes go.

I love... Mango Face Mask: I received this in a Joliebox and thought it would be great to hydrate my skin due to being 'moisturising and reviving'. It is a peel off mask which I think is always a fun novelty and was looking forward to using it. However, it was ridiculously gloopy and stringy so was really hard to apply and once it was time to  peel it off it really hurt (like pulling off a plaster) and made my face sting after. I absolutely hated this and it made the fun and relaxing treat of a face mask into a nightmare.

Vo5 Hot Oil Moisture Soak Elixir: I've been using Hot Oils for years so when the in shower version came out I was sold! This is used as a pre-shampoo treatment and always leaves my hair nourished and soft. It is one of my favourite hair oils and as it is relatively cheap too I recommend for everyone to try it. The only downside is the application is a bit tricky.

I tried to be short and sweet with all the items so hopefully it wasn't too long for you to read! Have you tried any of these products? What products have you used up recently? xxx

Wishlist Wednesday #5

The time has come for another wishlist and boy was it hard to narrow down just 5 for this week's post... my Amazon wishlist now has 333 items on it!! Safe to say being a beauty blogger has not only opened up my eyes but also my purse. I am on a spending ban at the moment though for this month so hopefully I can stick to it and feel a little better about my finances...and then maybe treat myself to something at the end of the month? 

First on the list is Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish Ltd Edition which when I heard about it I knew I just needed!! I love the original (see me rave about it here) and think the addition of Rose and Lavender sounds just lovely. I popped into my local John Lewis the other day to have a look (and smell) and liked what I saw, however I wasn't expecting the price to be quite so high. You do get a bigger bottle though and money from the sales go towards the Prince's Trust charity so I think the price is understandable. I've just run out of my original c&p so hopefully I'll be able to afford the new version soon to replace it.

Second is another perfume: Love Struck by Vera Wang. I have a good selection at the moment but they all seem to be running dangerously low at the same time! Everything about this particular perfume appeals to me from the amazing bottle (although not the best for travel), to the gorgeous smell, to it being fronted by Leighton Meester. I have another scent by Vera Wang which is Princess and I love that too. 

Next is a blusher. You may have noticed that I've developed a serious addiction to lipsticks recently and now I seem to have moved onto building up my blusher collection. This particular blush is 'Super Orgams' by Nars. Nars products have always interested me but they are SO expensive, so this really is a wishlist item. No doubt you would have heard of the Orgasm products due to their popularity and also the naughty name! Super Orgasm seems to be a little bit peachier with more shimmer running through. I know alot of people prefer matte blushes but I'm partial to a bit of shimmer sometimes!

This week's random item (always has to be one!) is a yoga/pilates/work out mat. And of course I would like it to be pink! These are pretty easy and cheap to get on Amazon, eBay and at John Lewis. I'm trying to get a bit fitter and do more exercise but I find it difficult to do some of the exercises without a proper mat. Maybe if I had one of these I would be more inclined to work out...maybe haha.

Last but certainly not least is again a definite wishlist item as it is quite expensive. Alpha H Liquid Gold has had a lot of blogger hype and I really want to try it for myself. From the reviews I've seen it looks like it would be great for my skin type and the different problems I have such as blemishes, dullness etc. Here's to hoping!

What do you think of this week's wishlist? Do you have any of these products? xxx

Review: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

£14.25 for a starter pack inc. 100ml bottle of product + 2 muslin cloths.

Before becoming interested in the world of beauty blogging and seeing all the rave reviews about this product, Liz Earle was a brand that had never crossed my radar. However, upon purchasing this I can safely say I'm in love! From the packaging to the product, I havn't been disappointed and think it is worth the money.

Due to my skin type being oily/combination I was worried that this product would make me break out or become more oily due to the thick creamy consistency of the cleanser, however it has actually done the opposite and so I think it would be suitable for all skin types. After using this, I can see that my skin has more of an even skin tone and feels fresh and really soft. It contains rosemary, chamomile, cocoa butter and eucalyptus essential oil, giving the product a herbal scent (a bit like Vicks in my opinion) and also what gives my skin its lovely soft feeling afterwards.

One pump is enough for my whole face, and I massage it in circular motions finishing with my eyes because otherwise make up residue goes everywhere! I love that this cleanser is a multi tasker and cleanses my skin effectively as well as taking off my make up. I was a bit skeptical of this at first but when I used my toner afterwards, which I apply with a cotton wool pad, there was no make up residue on the pad showing the cleanser had done its job well.

As it is a two stage product, with the first being the cleansing when you massage it around your face, the second is the 'polish' with the muslin cloths. These give your skin a deep clean without feeling too rough or harsh and effectively more all signs of make up and daily grime. I usually change my cloth after every few uses otherwise it kinda defeats the point of washing your face if you are doing it with a bacteria ridden cloth! As you get two cloths in the starter pack I would advise buying a couple more - you can get packs of 2 for £4 from John Lewis.

Another plus point for me is the packaging - it has a nice clean and sophisticated feeling and I really like the colours they have chosen, the pump action and the little bag the starter pack came in. The only thing I would change is maybe including a little see through bar so you can see how much product is left because I'm worried I will run out and not realise until I go to use it.

Overall, I think it is pretty obvious I am smitten with this product and it is probably a bit sad to say but I look forward to using this in the evenings! I would definitely repurchase this when I use it up, but I am also interested in comparing it to the Soap and Glory Hot Cloth Cleanser and also their Peaches and Clean. I think Liz Earle deserve the hype and am interested in trying some of their other products, which is made easy as if you go on their website they suggest products suited to your needs.

Have you tried this product and what do you think of it? Do you have any other Liz Earle recommendations? xxx

July Favourites

This is my first ever favourites post! I love reading other people's posts and watching YT videos like this as it makes me confident at trying products I've been thinking about sampling and also gives me some new suggestions to have a look at. This post features a mixture of skin care and make up :)

Skincare

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish: Ever since purchasing this last month I have loved it! From the packaging to the product it hasn't let me down and I understand now why there were so many rave reviews. I may be late on the bandwagon, but now I've got this brand on my radar I'm looking forward to trying some of their other products and will be keeping this as a staple in my skincare routine. I'm not going to go into too much detail as I have an upcoming post dedicated to this lovely product. (Edit: see review here!)

Neutrogena Grapefruit Facial Wash: Again, there is an upcoming review of this on my blog and is a new item in my facial skincare regime. I'm really enjoying using it in the mornings as the scent and formula wakes me up and refreshes my face nicely. 

Make Up

Revlon Lip Butters: I've just done a post on these so you can see how much I love them and why here! An update since then though is that I have recently purchased my third in the shade 'Creme Brulee' and I love it just as much as the others! I've been getting into my nude lips recently and this is a wonderful addition - it is a lovely soft nude, which is sheer enough to let some of my natural lip show through while still giving shine and a wash of colour with lots of nourishment. If you aren't that big into lipsticks and colour but want to dabble in lip products this is an excellent way to introduce yourself to both.

Urban Decay Naked Palette: This has been such a good investment purchase. Since buying it I've used it nearly every day and love the selection of matte and glittery shades, the quality of the eyeshadows and their colour payoff. You can create so many looks for day and evening by combining the different shades and I suggest it is a good palette to buy if you are into the natural look or are wanting to experiment. You can see my full review here. 

17 BB Cream: This has been a key staple in my every day make up routine this summer. I've been shunning foundation for the summer and this has to be my favourite BB cream that I have tried so far as it has good oil control, added SPF and good coverage. Every time I use it I like it even more :) If you want to read my full review for this you can read it here. I am looking forward to trying some other BB creams and am going to do a post soon on all the ones I have tried and what I think of them.

Hope you enjoyed reading my favourites :) Are any of these featured in your favourites post? xxx

Beauty Haul

I have been a very naughty girl today and had a bit of a splurge at Boots and John Lewis... I couldn't resist getting some new products that I have read so many rave reviews about to test out myself :) I will be doing full individual reviews of these products, so expect to see some in depth posts about most of them once I have had the chance to give them a proper test. As an overview I purchased:

Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser: I was sooo excited about this purchase! I have seen so many reviews on various blogs and youtube channels claiming what a miracle product this is so I am really keen to test it out myself...I'm hoping it will work just as well for me :) It was also cheaper than I expected it to be, so that was a bit of a bonus!

Batiste Dry Shampoo: Bit of a boring one, but out of all the dry shampoos this has always been the one I go back to. I normally get the pink one but thought I would try the 'wild' bottle this time.

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit facial wash: This is another one that I have seen heavily recommended for my skin type and as I had run out of the wash I was using at home, I thought it would be a good time to try out this particular wash.

ProVoke Touch of Silver shampoo: I had also run out of my John Frieda purple shampo which helps tone out the brassiness of blonde hair when the colour starts to fade, so to replace it I bought this product which I had heard good reviews about. I need to make sure I don't keep it on too long though as it can turn your hair purple :\!

Barry M Nail Paint in Berry (308): This wasn't a planned buy but as I was in Boots anyway and I have been looking for a nice pastel purple I decided to buy this as my pastel blue from the range is pretty good quality. I would also like to purchase a minty shade so if anyone has some suggestions of a good brand, please leave a comment or tweet me!

Palmer's Natural Bronze: After thinking about purchasing a gradual tanner for a while, I saw some good reviews of this and I love other Palmer's products I decided on this one. It was also half price in Boots and as it is so cheap anyway this cost me only a little over £2!

Bourjois Chocolate Bronzing Powder: Again, this is another product that I have seen numerous positive reviews about and as I needed a new bronzer thought it would be a good purchase. It is also in the shape and smells of chocolate so that is another plus point for me!

Denman bag brush: I have been after one of these for ages as on a night out I can never fit my hairbrush in my bag unless I take a huge one, and anyone who knows me knows that I am constantly brushing my hair!! So this will be a very handy little purchase, and at around £3 it was a bargain.

Clarins Hydra-Matte Lotion: I got this in a tester size as I don't really want to shell out on a full size if it doesn't do anything for me. I am a big fan of Clarins so am looking forward to trying this out, especially as I have quite oily skin it will be fab if it works well.

Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask: Again this is in a tester size for the same reason and I am really looking forward to trying this out too.

Have you used any of these products and what are your thoughts on them? xxx