Review: L'Oreal | EverPure No Sulphates | Shampoo & Conditioner |

L'Oreal Paris - Hair Expertise - EverPure Colour Care & Moisture - Shampoo & Conditioner - £6.29 each - 250ml

It takes me ages to use up shampoo & conditioner, so when I get the opportunity to try a new one I get really excited to choose something new. I was going to buy something expensive to treat myself, but on a whim I picked up this super affordable duo in Superdrug, as I adore the mask from the range.

I've rarely found a shampoo that cleans my hair without stripping it, but the Dazzling Colour and Moisture Shampoo is fantastic at cleansing properly while still nourishing every strand. The formula is quite thick, so I was worried it would weigh my hair down or cause it to become greasy more quickly, but this hasn't been an issue. In fact, my hair feels lightweight and lifted, while still moisturised. The conditioner is also a thick creamy consistency, enriched with rosemary and mint oils, which I apply from the mid lengths through to the end. It helps to detangle easily, and leaves hair soft and manageable. These are great at reviving old colour too and both products also have the same soft spa like scent as the mask that I adore. 

These encompass everything I look for in a shampoo & conditioner - colour protection, moisture and body. The range has most definitely won me round to sulphate free haircare and I would highly recommend for all hair types. 

Have you tried any sulphate free hair products? xxx

All Used Up #15

1. Got2b Guardian Angel Heat Protector Spray: After purchasing Tresemme for many years, I felt it was time to try a new heat protector. This smelt lovely but I preferred the finer spray of the Tresmme version. I don't think you can tell that much difference between heat protectors but this was non sticky and light on the hair so did the job nicely.

2. The Body Shop Camomile Eye & Lip Makeup Remover: A definite repurchase, I adore this stuff! It is a bi-phase liquid that you shake up to mix up the oil and is so effect and gentle at removing stubborn mascara and lip stains. It is such a good product for the money and I am looking to repurchase it as soon as possible.

3. Tropic Skincare Vitamin Toner: The spray on this was lovely and fine and the product itself was refreshing and gentle with a non offensive scent. This was great for in the morning to perk up my face and I wouldn't hesitate at repurchasing. If you are looking for something gentle and non drying, this would be a great option.

4. Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter: One of my all time favourites from the brand and the highstreet in general. The sweet pistachio smell of this is lovely and the formula foams up so much while still being gentle and moisturising. This is a real winner for this time of year and perfect for if you are too lazy to moisturise after the shower.

5. Seventeen Skin Wow! Highlighter: Read my full review here. This is a great budget liquid highlighter which has multiple uses, but my favourite way is to mix it into foundation to add a healthy glow. This is quite pink toned and pearlescent but luckily was not too glittery on the skin. I did feel as though it made my skin more prone to oil throughout the day but overall it was a good product.

6. Una Brennan Vitamin C Cleansing Oil: As far as oil cleansers go this was alright. It removed make up well and did not leave any residue, but I did not see any brightening effects like the claims and it was really messy to use. It lasted ages which is normally a plus, but I wanted to use this faster as it was just OK. I normally love Una Brennan so this was a bit of a let down.

7. L'Oreal EverPure Hair Mask for Coloured Hair: My first foray into sulphate free hair care and I adored it! Honestly, this left my hair so soft, smooth and tangle free at such a bargain price. I liked this so much it made it into my monthly favourites last year and I would definitely repurchase.

8. Macadamia Healing Oil Spray: I've had this for years and finally used it up. I love the Macadamia range but this is not one of my favourite products. The best way to use this was on dry hair, sprayed into my palms and worked through the mid lengths to ends to smooth everything. When used on wet hair it did live up to the claims of drying it faster, but I wasn't in love with this product. Read my full review here.

9. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation: This was my go to foundation for when I was on a night out (hence the slightly darker colour match for fake tan!) It gives a real even and flawless finish, while still looking quite radiant and it stays put all night. I enjoyed using this foundation and would repurchase but it is not a holy grail for me like it is for other bloggers as I preferred wearing it for a few hours rather than all day.

10. MAC Fix+: To be honest, I still can't make up my mind if this does anything or not. It was my first try at fixing sprays so I have nothing to compare it too. The plus points were the fine mist, lockable cap for travel and that it helped to take any powdery finish away but I can't make up my mind if it actually locked my make up in place. This is also good to wet your brushes in before applying eyeshadow to make it more intense. I may go back to this and try it again but for now I am enjoying a cheaper L'Oreal version.

What have you used up recently? xxx

Review: Sleek | Face Form Contour & Blush Palette | 'Light'

Sleek MakeUP - Face Form Contour & Blush Palette - Light - £10

The other evening I was organising my photos - does anyone else have multiple digital albums which are all a bit of a mess? Anyway, I came across loads of photos I had taken for the blog from ages ago which I had kind of forgotten about. One set of these pictures was on this lovely palette from Sleek that I use at least twice a week and still love as much as I did when I first bought it and have been using it loads recently. So it is high time that I wrote a review on it!

One of the best things about this palette is that it is so travel friendly. You are sorted with a blush, contour/bronzer and highlight that are amazing quality and go with pretty much any look you need - I used this exclusively in Stockholm and didn't feel like I was missing anything. Plus you get a good sized mirror, and the pans are a really good size too. For the price point the quality of these powders are so good - really highly pigmented, easy to blend and no chalkiness in sight.

The bronzer is great for contouring as it is matte and more on the cool side, although you do need to make sure you blend it properly as it is very pigmented. The highlighter I wasn't sure on at the beginning, but applied with a denser brush like the Real Techniques contour brush, it looks so beautiful across the cheekbones and centre of the face. It gives a lovely glow without being glittery or really obvious. Lastly the blush is a fantastic dupe for Nars Orgasm and again is just as pigmented as the rest of the palette and lasts all day without needing a touch up.

The only thing to keep in mind if you have acne prone skin is that it does contain talc so if you have acne prone skin this may aggravate it.

There is also 4 different shades for varying skin tones from Light to Dark - so a palette for everyone! you can purchase this palette in Boots or Superdrug.

What is your favourite product from Sleek? xxx

Review: Rimmel | Fix & Perfect Primer |

Rimmel - Fix & Perfect Primer - Boots - £6.99

If you watched this video, you may remember my first thoughts on this primer were pretty so so. In fact, normally I am not a fan of primers at all, and view them as an unnecessary extra step and layer to my make up routine on a day to day basis.

However, due to Autumn turning quickly into Winter weather-wise, central heating and pollution amongst the usual culprits, I've noticed a definite change to my skin in terms of hydration and therefore how make up sits on my skin. Having combination skin that is also dehydrated is a difficult thing to tackle. Make up started to settle in weird places, and look dry and cakey, so as well as tackling this with skincare, I decided to pull out the Rimmel Fix & Protect primer as it is much more smoothing and moisturising than other primers I have. 

Turns out this was an excellent choice as it has made such a difference not only to the look and feel of my make up but also its longevity. The reasons I love it now are why I didn't like it before funnily enough, but I guess that is because my skin is a lot different to in the summertime.

 This is very smoothing with a silicone like texture and definitely feels hydrating, yet not greasy (just). I don't see much difference worn alone, but all my foundations have looked instantly better when applied on top. Even my most matte of foundations are looking more skin like and glowy than cakey and dry. Not only does it help bases to not settle in pores or weird lines, it locks make up into place for a full working day, and gives my base a more airbrushed and even appearance.

In terms of oil control, I wouldn't say it aids in anyway, but at the same time it doesn't make me any more greasy which is a win. I've totally changed my mind on this product and would urge you to try it for yourself as it is a bargain at £6.99 at Boots.

Are you for or against primers? xxx

The Best Winter Hand Cream

Garnier 7 Day Intensive Restoring Hand Cream - Shea Butter - Currently £2.13 at Boots - 100ml

When it comes to hand creams I tend to choose high end brands like L'Occitane or Crabtree & Evelyn due to the light consistency, the dreamy smells and the fact that they sink in easily while still moisturising effectively so you can get on with your day. However now the weather has turned quite bitter they aren't cutting it anymore and I've been searching for something deeply moisturising that repairs and protects.

Recently my hands have been dry and the skin around my finger nails has been peeling and cracked. I've been using The Body Shop's Hemp Hand cream which is great for before bed as it is quite sticky and takes a while to sink but it doesn't last throughout the next day and the formula isn't great for day to day business.

In comes Garnier's Intensive 7 Days Restoring Hand Cream. I only picked this up after using a colleagues and being seriously impressed. A few years ago I enjoyed using the 7 Day Intensive Body lotions (review here) but never thought to try the high street for an intensive hand cream as I thought they just wouldn't be up to standard. I was so wrong though as this is literally the best intensive hand cream EVER and for such a good price too.

I chose the Shea Butter formula due to being suitable for dry and chapped hands, the scent of which is light and inoffensive. It is a relatively light formula which sinks in very easily and leaves your hands feeling soft, smooth and supple and instantly my hands looked soothed and more hydrated. The hydration even lasts through washing your hands so you don't need to keep on reapplying which is awesome. I've noticed such a difference to the appearance of my hands over just a few days, which says a lot as I was constantly reapplying some of my favourite high end creams and didn't notice any difference.

This is now a staple in my hand bag and on my desk and I urge you to try it if you are looking for something intensive that won't break the bank.

What is your favourite hand cream? xxx

Natural Beauty with St Ives

A few weeks ago I was contacted by St Ives to see if I was interested to take part in their 7 day natural beauty challenge. Needless to say I jumped at the chance to be involved, not only because St Ives is a brand that I've enjoyed using for years but also because the message of the campaign was something that I feel positive about and think you guys could connect to as well.

The hamper we got sent was absolutely amazing and contained something for each day of my natural beauty journey as well as a lovely personalised make up bag which was perfect for my recent trip to Morocco!

Day 1: I started the week by taking care of my skin inside and out. We received a Brita filter water bottle to help with my intake of water which was perfect as I never drink enough throughout the day. To start my skin looking great on the outside I used the Blemish Fighting facial scrub which came at a great time because I was suffering a break out at the time. I love the smell of St Ives scrubs and my skin always feels so clean afterwards but luckily it didn't feel stripped at all. The Blemish scrub is quite abrasive though  so I used it twice a week, switching in the Gentle scrub for sensitive skin on the other days as it had smaller particles and was much more gentle on the skin.

Day 2: I used the Gentle scrub in the morning and then used the Body Shop Deep Sleep spray to help me get my beauty sleep as well as lighting my Neom lavender candle. I find it quite hard to get to sleep because I worry a lot and can stay up thinking about things a bit too much, so using this spray every night has really helped to relax me and drift off a bit easier.

Day 3: Today was time to detox and unwind with some natural herbal tea. I love drinking tea throughout the day and have a whole cupboard full of different types of herbal and black teas so this was the perfect addition!

Day 4: One of the most exciting products for me was the addition of an EOS lipbalm which I've wanted to try for ages! This was great as it is hygienic to use and great to pop in the hand bag for top ups throughout the day.

Day 5: This day I got to taste the delicious and nutritious hero ingredient from St Ives scrubs - apricots! I was going to do something fancy with them but ended up eating them as a snack instead, woops!

Day 6: One of my favourite additions to the box was the little book of Mindfulness. I feel like this came at a really great time for me as we have quite a lot going on in our lives at the moment and it has really helped me to relax and focus my mind. I think a happy mind and positive thoughts does such a lot for leading a beautiful life so is really important.

(Source)

Day 7: The last day was to embrace our natural beauty from head to toe. I used the walnuts, which is another hero product in their scrub, and made some raw copycat nakd bars. Let me know if you want the recipe as they were delicious and much cheaper to make than what you can buy in the shops! I then used the body scrub which is a very generous tub and was amazing at prepping my skin for tanning in Morocco.

Overall, I think this natural beauty journey was so much fun as was rediscovering some fabulous products from St Ives. I hope it inspires you to give it a go yourself as well. Remember to tweet @StIvesSkinUk and use the hashtag #BrightSkin to document your journey or your suggestions for achieving natural beauty inside and out. xxx

Review: Sleek | Matte Me Lip Cream | 'Brink Pink'

Sorry for the not so great picture-  best of a bad bunch!

Sleek - Matte Me Ultra Smooth Matte Lip Cream - 'Brink Pink' - £4.99

Sleek is a brand that I've wanted to delve into for a long time and everyone knows I have a penchant for lip products, so when the Matte Me lip creams were released it was the perfect time to pick up a few colours to test out (along with a few blushers which will be reviewed soon!)

Today I'll be talking about 'Brink Pink' - a bright magenta colour that is almost fluro in real life but difficult to capture completely on camera. Take my word for it though, its beaut! The formula is really smooth and easy to apply, especially due to the firm doe foot wand, and is really opaque which is a massive plus point. I've found the best way to use this product is to apply one thin layer, wait around 30 seconds for it to dry and then add another layer on top. If you try and add layers too quickly it just spreads the product around your lips. 

The formula dries down to a matte finish in less than a minute and has great sticking power. Tested during a normal day this stuff doesn't budge even when drinking. It even survived a three course meal really well with only slight wear at the very centre of my lips, which was rectified with a quick slick of lip balm to blend everything together again.

As you would imagine, due to the nature of the matte formulation you need to make sure you have exfoliated your lips well as it will cling to any dry patches. I always apply a lip balm before doing my make up so when I get to my lips they are nourished enough for the lip cream. I also find that after a while it can feel like there is a coating on your lips, so it isn't as comfortable as a normal lipstick but this has been true of all the lip creams I've tried, not just with Sleek's offering. Another plus point is when it has started to feel a bit dry I've been able to slick on some lip balm without disturbing the lip cream at all.

Overall, I've been really impressed with this product from Sleek. Everything from the colour to the formulation ticks all the right boxes and I can't wait to pick up some more colours!

What are your favourite lip creams? Have you tried anything from Sleek before? xxx

Review: Vichy | Normaderm Micellar Solution |

Vichy Micellar Solution for Acne Prone Skin // £10.50 // Available from Boots

Over the past year I've been trying out quite a few different micellar waters, some which I really didn't get on with (for example, the L'Oreal version), while others have been quite good. None of them have reached 'Holy Grail' status just yet though - not even Bioderma - but I prefer them 100% more to face wipes to take off the majority of my make up before cleansing properly and as a means to freshen up.

The only product I've tried from Vichy before is a thermal water spray, which I enjoyed during summer, so I decided they would be a good bet as the next version to try. At the time of purchase I didn't realise that they do different versions for varying skin types but as luck would have it I picked up the one for acne prone skin which is probably better suited for me as I have combo/oily skin which is prone to the odd spot or two. It also states that it is suitable for sensitive skin too.

One of the best points about this particular micellar solution is that it contains no parabens or alcohol. I'm not majorly fussy when it comes to ingredients normally, but in regards to my face I'd rather be as kind to it as possible. I also really like that its easy to dispense the product, meaning no waste or spillages and it smells nice and fresh. When tackling face make up and grime (yum) this is pretty good at getting most of it off but pretty weak at taking off eye make up, especially mascara. I've just repurchased a new eye make up remover for that which isn't the end of the world, but ideally to keep costs and my skincare routine down I would have liked it to be able to be good at taking off eye make up as well. Although there is a lack of alcohol in the ingredients, I have also found it a little drying however I think this may be down to the changing seasons too so the jury is out on that point for the moment. 

Overall, this product isn't ground breaking but it is rather nice and actually find it really similar to the one by La Roche Posay. I'm starting to feel like all micellar solutions are pretty similar bar a few bad ones, so if you like these products as part of your skincare routine this is a good one to try out. 

What products do you recommend from Vichy? xxx

Review: Revlon | Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain | 'Crush'

Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 'Crush' // £7.99 //

My love for lip products is boundless, with three boxes full of the stuff and growing its surprising that I have done hardly any posts on them. So I'm going to try and rectify this and do a few more posts dedicated to the lipstick lovers out there. I thought I would kick off with a beaut colour suitable for Autumn/Winter, which is the shade 'Crush' by Revlon from their Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain range. 

I actually bought this around a year ago now so that's why the packaging is looking a bit battered now! The JBKBS were the first 'dupe' high street range to rival Clinique's Chubby Sticks - I have a few of those too and will be popping up some comparisons soon :) A pinky burgundy with hints of glitter (which is a little darker than the swatches show), 'Crush' applies to a glossy finish which lasts well and is slightly tingly, and once worn away leaves a matte stain. Personally I like to build up a few layers of the colour to deepen it and make it more opaque. If you have chapped lips this colour will emphasis that so it would be wise to use a lip scrub prior. The stain lasts pretty well - during every day activity around 4 hours including drinking, however after a meal only a slight colour is left, giving a lip liner effect, which I don't think is too bad going. The best way to apply these to get a lasting stain is to apply a layer, blot and then apply again.

I'm not too fond of the smell which is kind of minty, but luckily this doesn't really translate to the lips. The application is lovely and smooth, although now the tip has become quite rounded it is a little bit more tricky to get precision. The formula is quite moisturising until the gloss has worn away and doesn't bleed at all, which is a big plus point. It is super handy to pop into your hand bag as if you need more product you simply twist the silver part at the bottom so no sharpener is required.

I'm a big fan of Revlon anyway, and these lip crayons are lovely. There are so many out on the market now but these ones are definitely one of my faves. I would love to try out Honey as my next shade. Have you tried these Balm Stains? What colour is your favourite? xxx

NOTD: Barry M | Gelly Nail Paint in 'Dragon Fruit' |

Barry M // Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint // £3.99 // 

There have been plenty of posts already where I've harped on about my love for Barry M, and I've been steadily adding to my stash of their latest release of Gelly polishes. This particular colour has gained a place as one of my favourites of the moment. Dragon Fruit is a perfect Barbie pink, with the tiniest hint of sparkle giving the polish more dimension, which you can see the best in the bottom picture. I think this colour looks best on finger tips as on my skin tone it looks a bit dull on the toes unless you jazz it up with some glitter.

The texture is thicker than normal polishes but took around two layers to become streak free with this particular shade. I also really like that the shine doesn't dull after a few days wear and I was chip free until around the 3/4 day. These version of nail paints have been really hyped up with people either loving or hating them, but I am most definitely on the love side! I've got my eye on a few darker shades for Autumn and Winter so am looking forward to picking them up and testing them out.

What are your opinions on the Gelly range? xxx

All Used Up #5

There isn't too many products in the fifth installment of this series even though I have used up other things but have failed to keep them in order to write a post. I'm going to try a bit harder though to find somewhere safe to keep them as I think they are a great way to do mini reviews and enjoy reading other people's (link me in the comments if you have a recent post of your own!)

001. La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution: I've been trying out a few micellar waters to take off the excess of my make up before cleansing properly, which I used to do with face wipes before. This was one of the better ones I have tried but did not take up all of my make up so I wouldn't recommend cleansing with just this. It was nice in the mornings though to freshen up and left skin soft and without any residue. I'm not sure if I really 'get' the hype over micellar waters to be honest - I'm using a bottle of Bioderma which is supposed to be the best one on the market, so once that is all finished I think I will have formed my final opinion on this type of product.

002. Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub: This has been hanging around for a while so I was pleased to finish it. It is an effective scrub without being too harsh and a good scrub/cream ratio but it didn't blow me away. I am looking at other scrubs and ways in which to exfoliate my skin instead at the moment.

003. Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub: Another scrub, this time for the body. The scent of this is amazing: citrus and brown sugar combined together smells like Rowntree's fruit pastel lollies :) I'm a big fan of all things Soap & Glory and I am slowly working my way through their products but this particular scrub wasn't the best I've tried from them. As I said the smell was amazing so I am definitely looking into getting the shower gel of this range but the scrub wasn't scrubby enough for me and found that meant a lot of product was needed to get the desired results. Flake Away lasted a lot longer than this and I preferred the texture so it is still the top scrub for me!

004. Superdrug Blonde Colour Enhance Conditioner: Like the Simple scrub this has been in my bathroom for ages (I'm talking years) as I didn't really like it too much. I ended up using it for shaving my legs which it was good at but for its actual use I wouldn't repurchase.

005. Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush: Yet another dry shampoo as I always use this in between washes. I've never really tried another dry shampoo as these are cheap and do the job.

006. Tresemme Heat Defence Smooth Spray: I don't use any other products from this brand as I heard from hairdressers that it isn't actually good for your hair, but their heat protectant is lovely and I always repurchase it. It smells lovely, doesn't weigh hair down and lasts ages so is very cost effective too. My favourite aspect of this product is the spray function as it delivers a very fine mist. I've kept the bottle to transfer some other heat protectants that I've got to use up into as its the best spray I've found. A definite repurchase.

Have you tried any of these products? xxx

Take 3: Highstreet Blushes

In the last few months I've built up my lipstick/lip product collection and so thought now was the time to turn my attention to blushes. I already had a few Benefit box powders and most of my blushers are various shades of pinks so I thought I would have a look around the highstreet to find some new shades from new brands to try and add some variety to my collection. These three are the ones I decided on: the first on the left is 'Peach Melba' by Natural Collection, then 'English Rose' by MUA and finally 'Head Over Heels' by Topshop.

'Peach Melba' by Natural Collection: Natural Collection are a great brand for trying out new colours and products to see if you like them before splashing out on something similar from a more expensive brand as all their make up products are £2 or under. This colour is a matte warm peach shade which looks great for natural make up days or if you are wearing heavier colours else where. It brings warmth to your complexion without looking 'done' and is easy to apply due to the finely milled, soft texture of the powder. The shade looks lovely built up or with just one stroke from your brush. It may not be the most glamorous of packaging but it is great for travel and I've been very impressed with this offering. I would definitely try some other blushes from the range and has been a great introduction to peachier shades.

'English Rose' by MUA: This was a bit more expensive at £2.50 but still amazingly cheap for a blusher! I hadn't tried much from MUA when I purchased this but had heard a lot of good things about the brand. I chose this colour as it is quite 'me' and had a mixture of pinks and peaches. The two squares of purple were a little daunting but once the product is swirled together you can't notice it. The reason for a mosaic of colours according to MUA is because different skin tones highlight different colours, so by swirling them together it will adapt to suit your specific skin tone and therefore suit everyone. The pigmentation wasn't fantastic once it is on your brush - the colour looks a lot deeper when swatched. However, it can be built up and it looks nice combined with a little of peach melba too. This particular blush has a little shimmer running through it so it eliminates the need for a separate highlight - this may not be to everyone's taste but I'm partial to a bit of sparkle, and it doesn't leave you looking like a glitter ball. The only problem I had with this is because the pan is so big I had to use a larger brush to save me picking up way too much product and a lot of fall out and therefore precision was a bit more difficult. I wasn't wowed by this product but it is a nice one to have in the collection.

'Head Over Heels' by Topshop: Out of all of the blushers mentioned this is the most expensive at £6. After picking up an extensive amount of lipsticks from their make up range I decided to have a go at the blushers. It is my first cream blush (it is cream to powder formulation) and I found it difficult to work with at the beginning. My stippling brush didn't give me enough colour as I would have liked as the colour in the pan is so bright it wasn't translating to my face at all. Instead I pat it on and rub it in with my fingers which gives a much nicer flush. As I said the colour is very bright but once blended in well it isn't as shocking and gives a nice wash of colour. I love the packaging as it has a little mirror and is very lightweight and I really like the colour too, I'm just not so sure about cream blushes. I think I'm going to have to play around with it a bit more and see what works best for me.

Have you tried any of these blushers? Would you recommend any other highstreet blushers? xxx

Review: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

RRP £7.99 at Boots

There have been a million and one reviews of this product but I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and do one myself as I've had this product for a while and have been meaning to do it for ages. There has been so much hype around Revlon recently, about both this product and the lip butters. My personal preference is definitely for the latter (see my review here). I can't compare these to the Clinique Chubby Sticks as I havn't tried them but it is common knowledge that these are considered a good dupe for them.

I really like the packaging of this product as it is sleek but sturdy, you can easily tell the colour of it in your make up drawer and to get more product you screw the bottom instead of having to look for a sharpener. Although the tube and tip are quite chunky, you can still get precision and it is easy to apply. The actual formula is pretty moisturising when first applied leaving a slight gloss to your lips but I think that fades quite quickly and can feel a little sticky. It also gives a tingle sensation that I really like and smells kind of minty/soily which I know some people hate but I don't mind as it wears off quite quickly.  I also think that although it is meant to be a stain it doesn't actually last as long as I would like.

As always, the colour selection is greater in America but I guess that is just something we have to get used to in the UK. I have the shade 'Cherish Devotion' and think it is an easy to wear soft pink that is great for the day, offering something a little different to the 'my lips but better' daytime pinks I already have. I would also wear this in the evening if I was wearing a heavier eye. Another aspect I like is that you can build up the opaqueness on your lips from a slight wash of colour to a bolder, brighter shade. Other shades that I have my eye on are 'Honey' as a lovely every day neutral and 'Lovesick' as we all know how much I love my bright pinks!

Although this product hasn't wowed me as much as the lip butters, I still enjoy using it as I love all in one products which are easy to pop in your handbag and use on the go with little fuss. It offers something different formula and packaging-wise to my many other lip products so I am pleased I bought it.

Have you tried this lip product from Revlon? What shades are your favourite? Do you know of any other Chubby Stick dupes? xxx

EDIT: I have also reviewed the shade 'Crush' here. (23/9/13)

Drugstore Haul

For a while now I have been wanting to invest in some Soap and Glory products, ever since seeing Miss Budget Beauty rave about them. As they were 3 for 2 in Boots (like I think they are a lot of the time) I decided I would try out my most urgent lust after products. Instead of the Flake Away scrub I was keen to try the Peaches and Clean cleanser and/or Kick Ass concelar but they didn't have any in stock :( I also got a shampoo and mitt that I needed too as I often forget toiletries I need at Uni when I go home, so prefer to have a spare at home.

Tanning Mitt

I bought this from Superdrug for around £3 rather than from Boots, mainly because I prefer that its pink :) It is just a standard mitt to be honest, but they do last a long time and I way prefer applying fake tan with a mitt to avoid orange hands and streaks. Not a very interesting purchase but I bought it at the same time as the other stuff so thought it should be included.

Elvive Colour Protect Caring Shampoo

I bought this at Superdrug too for such a good price at less than £2, which was cheaper than the smaller bottle... bit strange but I wasn't complaning! I have recently used this up at Uni so I can start using a new Tigi Bed Head shampoo I bought (upcoming review), so this will also be featuring on an upcoming empties post. I bought this for home use though as it was such a great price and also because I really did like it. I get highlights but only about twice a year, maybe 3 times at a push so always look for hair products specifically for coloured/blonde hair that will help maintain the condition and vibrancy of my hair. I used this with the matching conditioner which I am still using up at the moment and I think it keeps my hair in good condition (in conjunction with hair masks and serums), has maintained the 'salon fresh' colour for a longer time than other shampoos I have used in the past and I also really like that it has UV protection in it. If I'm not impressed by the Tigi one I will seriously consider re-purchasing this.

Soap and Glory: Hocus Focus

First of all I have to say, I loooove all the Soap and Glory packaging!! It's pink and girly (obviously a plus point for me) and reminisent of Benefit products by using old style glamour and wording. This was a complete lust must have for me as I feel like my skin can get a bit dull, so thought it would be able to perk me up a bit! To be honest though, for £13 I was a little dissapointed. I'm not sure if that is because I hyped it up too much for myself but it just didn't live up to it's expectations for me. You can mix it into your foundation, with your daily moisuriser or use it on it's own as a highlighter. I was expecting a real 'wow' effect but when used with my foundation you couldn't really see it's full effect. On a day to day basis I use Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse as I've found it's the best wearing for my oily skin and has a really light coverage. Even so, this light coverage still masked the effect of the product, which was annoying as I normally wear foundation rather than just a BB cream as it gives me more confidence, so for £13 I wouldn't get a lot of use out of it. However, when I did try it with a BB cream and as a highlighter for my cheeks, I really liked the dewy finish it gave, even with a light dusting of powder and the smell was really nice too. Therefore, I'd recommend it for holidays and for those who aren't a big fan of the matte finish look or who don't wear foundation regularly.

Soap and Glory: Fab Pore Facial Peel

This was another product that was reviewed highly so was another of my must haves and I must say this did live up to my expectations. It says to use 2-3 times a week, but I have been using it every other day, leaving it on for around 15 minutes, although you can use it for 5 mins for a quick freshen up. The consistency is quite thick and when you rub it in you have to burst all the blue beads in the formula. It is meant to reduce the appearance of pores so I put it on my 'problem' areas where I get most oily - forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. A little goes a long way and for £8 I think it is good value. I think it cleans the pores rather than diminishes them but I am a fan of that because there is no point closing them up if there is a load of gunk in them! I will continue to use this as I do feel like it's doing something. The smell is quite nice and smells of 'clean' although it isn't the best scent I've ever smelt so personally I think other products in the range are better for that.

Soap and Glory: Flake Away Sugar Scrub

I hadn't even thought of buying this product before I picked it up to complete my 3 for 2 as my other 'must haves' weren't in stock.... however, I think this may be my favourite out of the 3!! I have been looking for a sugar scrub which is affordable for a while now as standard exfoliators don't seem to cut it for me at the moment at giving me the clean feeling I want, especially when trying to get off stubborn fake tan! This was £7 and so the one I got free on my 3 for 2 but I would be happy to pay full price for this. The smell is amazing and lingers on your skin after using it, which I really liked. Because it is a sugar scrub it is quite harsh, therefore I only use it once a week at the moment but I do use it all over my body, not just my legs. For those who would like something a bit more gentle I would suggest the Sanctuary's Daily Body Scrub (I have the travel size for holidays etc) which I am a fan of too. Again a little goes a long way with this product and I felt like it was properly exfoliating me. It also left me feeling moisturised afterwards which was nice as I was worried it could dry my skin out a lot as I already get fairly dry legs and need to moisturise them daily. I used this in conjunction with my new Garnier 7 days moisturiser (mango oil for dry skin) and really like them together. I would really recommend this for its scent and price as it should last me a long time.

What other Soap and Glory products would you recommend for me to try? xxx