Friday 29 June 2012

Olay Eye Make Up Remover


If you have seen my latest post I mentioned that I had found an eye makeup remover that removed my waterproof mascara amazingly well. This is Olay's eye make up remover! I bought this a few weeks ago because Olay had an offer on their products, but I didn't use it very often because I had another eye makeup remover that I wanted to use up first.


When I was struggling to remove my waterproof mascara, I remembered this and thought I would give it a go. I apply about a pea sized amount of this onto a cotton pad and gently wipe it over my eye a couple of times and all of my mascara has gone! I don't have to rub at my eye at all, I just gently wipe over it and this seems to lift the mascara right off. It really is very very gentle and doesn't sting if you get it in your eye, (I know this because I accidentally wiped a whole blob of this into the corner of my eye!). I really like this product and would definitely recommend it. I use this to remove my waterproof mascara and I have used it on non-waterproof and it works amazingly on both.


This is available here for £2.99! Absolute bargain!


Have you found any amazing makeup removers?

Thursday 28 June 2012

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara


I have had the L'Oreal telescopic mascara for a while now. When I first bought it I wasn't that keen on how it made my lashes look so I just put it away in my draw and forgot about it. Lately however, I have rediscovered it and have been using it every day. 


The wand is plastic which I really like as it manages to separate my lashes and give them amazing length whilst also creating volume. At first I was using the non-waterproof telescopic mascara and I found the volume and lift didn't last all day. I decided to try the waterproof version as I really loved the way this mascara made my lashes look and I thought the waterproof one may last longer, and it does! My lashes have just as much length and volume at the end of the day as they did at the start. I really cannot say enough good things about this mascara, I absolutely love it. 


When I first started using the waterproof version of this I found it difficult to remove with my regular eye makeup remover wipes. I have discovered an eye makeup remover that removes this mascara amazingly well without having to rub too much at the eyes so I will be writing a post about that product soon!


This mascara is available here for £10.99


What is your favourite mascara? I always love trying new ones!

Tuesday 26 June 2012

Topshop Leigh Skinny Jeans


On a daily basis I tend to wear black leggings or black skinny jeans and I was on the look out for some new ones as mine are getting pretty old now. After hearing Viviannadoesmakeup talking about the Topshop Leigh Jeans and how great they are, I really wanted them! I went into Topshop to try them on and they are honestly the comfiest things I have ever, ever worn! They are really skinny on the legs but amazingly soft and stretchy as well which makes them really practical to wear everyday. Once I had them on in the changing rooms I didn't want to take them off again, they are so comfortable. I have worn them pretty much everyday since I bought them and I am thinking that I should really invest in another one (or two) pairs! 


These jeans are available here for £38.

Thursday 21 June 2012

Deborah Lippmann Across The Universe


When I was shopping in House of Fraser one day I spotted the Deborah Lippmann nail polishes and fell in love with them. I had heard a bit about them on other blogs and seen some photos so I was excited when I saw them. The one that caught my eye was Across the Universe which is a gorgeous navy blue with fine blue glitter and bigger silver and green glitter. 


The texture of this nail polish is almost like a jelly but it doesn't feel or look bumpy or uneven when on the nails. It's applies smooth and really nicely. I find I need between two and three coats of this to achieve an opaque colour so what I tend to do is apply Barry M Navy nail paint on first and then I only need one coat of this over the top. The one negative I have is, like with most glitter polishes, I find this can be fairly hard to remove. Fluff from the cotton pad gets stuck in the glitter when I try to remove it but once the top layer of glitter comes off the rest wipes away pretty easily. I find this nail polish lasts just under one week on the nails before it starts to chip. I do tend to use either Sally Hansen Mega Shine or Sally Hansen Insta-Dry as a top coat.


This is definitely one of my favourite nail polishes as it is so unique and I always get compliments and questions about it when I wear it. Deborah Lippmann nail polishes are available here for £16.


What is your favourite nail polish? Have you tried any Deborah Lippmann nail polishes?

Sunday 17 June 2012

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer


Since I started reading beauty blogs I have heard lots of hype around the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. I wanted to try it for ages but honestly wasn't sure which formula of the primer to get. They do the regular foundation primer, an oil-free primer, hydrating primer, mineral primer and radiance primer. I decided to get the original foundation primer because I thought that would be best for my skin. Unfortunately I don't live very near to a Laura Mercier counter so I ordered this online from John Lewis and I was so excited when it arrived. Laura Mercier describes this as a lightweight, creamy gel consistency that is good for normal or combination skin and leaves make up looking fresh all day. 

I have had this product for just over 2 months now so I thought it was about time I told you all what I think of it. This product feels so lovely on the skin - it's very light, creamy and makes my skin feel amazingly silky and smooth. When I apply my foundation over the top it blends really easily onto my skin but at the same time it feels like it's really clinging onto the primer which makes it last perfectly all day. I tend to get slightly oily around my nose and chin so that is where I had to re apply make up during the day as it tended not to last as well. When I use this however, my make up lasts all day and still looks perfect at the end of the day as if I have only just applied it! I still powder my nose just to help stop it looking too oily but I don't have to powder anywhere else. I will definitely be repurchasing this when I run out because I really think it is amazing - I apply my make up in the morning and then I know I don't have to touch it up or re apply it at all during the day anymore.




Have you tried this primer? What is your favourite makeup item you cannot live without?

Thursday 14 June 2012

Toni and Guy Casual Sea Salt Spray

I have heard quite a lot recently about sea salt sprays and how good they are for creating volume and texture in the hair. I really wanted to try one so I decided to buy the Toni and Guy casual sea salt spray as they do a mini 75ml bottle for £2.19. 




I spray this all over my hair when it's damp and work it through with my fingers before I blow dry it. Sometimes I also use this on dry hair if I haven't washed my hair for a couple of days and I want to add some volume and texture. I really love this product as it adds volume to the roots and lengths of my hair and it gives my hair a beachy look by creating messy, tousled waves. This spray creates light to medium hold which means the waves last well in between washes. I find it can have a slightly dry texture which means I can leave it longer in between washing my hair as it stops my hair getting greasy as quickly but it may not be as good if you have dry hair anyway. I really love the volume, texture and overall look this gives my hair and I will definitely be using this mini bottle up. I'm tempted to try a higher end salt spray as well now because I love this one so much and would like to see how a more expensive one would compare.


I would definitely recommend giving this a try if you want a sea salt spray but don't want to splash out in case you don't like it. 


This is available from Boots, £2.19 for 75ml or £7.19 for 200ml. 


Have you tried any sea salt sprays? Which ones would you recommend?

Tuesday 12 June 2012

My Hair Care Routine

I thought I would do a post all about my hair care routine today. I used to always try out new hair products and buy whatever was on offer, but I was never happy with my hair care routine and I never felt my hair was in very good condition. Over the past few months I have found products which I absolutely love and I feel are making a great difference and improvement to my hair. 
L - R, John Frieda Shampoo, John Frieda Conditioner, Unite Weekender Shampoo, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle.

To start off, I wash my hair 3 times a week and I use John Frieda Full Repair shampoo which I really like. I have a full review on this which you can read by
clicking here. Once a week I wash my hair with Unite Weekender shampoo which I love. This shampoo cleanses and detoxifies hair and gets rid of any product build up. It makes my hair feel so refreshed, soft and squeaky clean. I have two conditioners that I tend to switch between which are John Frieda Full Repair Deep Conditioner and Aussie 3 Minute Miracle.I have a full review of the John Frieda conditioner here. Aussie 3 Minute Miracle conditioner is a lovely conditioner that makes my hair feel so soft, look really healthy and it just works really nicely.
L - R, Unite 7 Seconds, Tresemme Split End, John Frieda Deep Infusion, Toni and Guy Sea Salt, Moroccan Oil.

Once I have washed my hair I use Unite 7 Seconds Conditioner Detangler on my hair. This product is amazing! I just spray about 8 or so sprays into my hair all over and it doesn't leave my roots greasy if I spray it on them. This acts as a heat protection for when I blow dry my hair, as well as a detangler and leave in conditioner. This product is honestly amazing and I love it as my hair gets really knotty. After this I either use Tresemme Split End Remedy Serum or John Frieda perfect Ends Deep Infusion Serum on the ends of my hair. The Tresemme product is a cream and the John Frieda is an oil. Both of these products are really nice and leave the ends of my hair soft and lovely. They both really seem to improve the look of split ends and stop the ends of my hair breaking off as much. I then spray Toni and Guy Sea Salt spray all through my hair to add volume and texture. I really like this product and I think I am going to do a full review on it so keep a look out! 
L - R, Got2b Guardian Angel, Babyliss Conical Wand, John Frieda Loose Curls, Cloud Nine Straighteners.
Next I blow dry my hair and then use Got2b Guardian Angel heat protection to protect my hair when I style it. If I am straightening my hair I use Cloud Nine straightens which I love. I also own GHD's but I don't use these very often any more. I can do a review on these hair straighteners if you would like, just let me know in the comments below. If I want to wear my hair wavy or curled then I either use John Frieda Loose Curls curling iron or Babyliss Conical Wand. The Babyliss Conical Wand gives a curl compared to a loose wave. On a daily basis I prefer to use the John Frieda loose curls wand to just add some shape and movement into the ends of my hair. Finally, once my hair is styled I use Moroccan Oil on the ends which is amazing! I had heard great things about it but never knew if it was worth the hype but I bought it and I am so glad I did. It leaves my hair really soft, manageable and amazing. It doesn't leave my hair greasy, just healthy and shiny.


So that is my hair care routine! If you have any questions then please leave them in the comments below. 


What are your favourite hair care products?

Saturday 9 June 2012

Clarins Daily Energizer Cream - Gel


I went to the Clarins counter a few weeks ago and was recommended this moisturiser for my skin. I get slightly oily around my nose and the rest of my skin is normal except for the occassional dry patch on my cheeks. This moisturiser was recommended because it's cream-gel so will moisturise and hydrate my skin and any dry areas but is also non-oily and light. I was given a sample of this and used it everyday for about one week morning and evening. I loved it so much that I went back and bought a full size pot. I use this everyday and it has really helped any dry areas on my face disappear as it moisturises my skin so well. My skin looks and feels healthy and it makes my skin so smooth. Because it is cream - gel it is very refreshing on the skin and not too heavy or thick. It's hydrating, creamy and moisturising but also sinks into the skin fairly quickly so I can apply my makeup almost immediately after in the morning which is good. The only bad thing I find about this moisturiser is that it doesn't have an spf so I need a separate spf. This is definitely my new favourite moisturiser!


This moisturiser is available here for £20.


What's your favourite moisturiser? Have you tried any of the Clarins Energizer products?

Tuesday 5 June 2012

Manuka Doctor Apiclear Skin Treatment Serum


I had heard some really good reviews about this serum and I was really excited to try it. I saw it in my local Holland and Barrett about a month ago but I didn't buy it because I wanted to read more reviews on it and then when I decided to buy this, it was out of stock for a few weeks! But I finally got it and I have been using it almost everyday for a week now. 


I had a few blemishes that wouldn't budge and I used this on the first evening after I bought it and the next morning every single one on my face was a lot smaller. Over the next few days I did get a few new blemishes but they were very small and disappeared after a day or so. After using this for about a week now I only have a couple of really small blemishes and the rest have completely gone. After I have applied this it does make my skin feel very dry so I make sure I moisturise really well. I really do feel like this product is working and clears my skin up and just makes it look better and healthier.


There are quite a lot of other products from the Manuka Doctor line for various skin types and I would really like to try some more. Have you tried any of this range? What are your favourite products?


This is available from Holland and Barrett for £18.99

Saturday 2 June 2012

Favourite Fake Tans



The weather is getting hotter and sunnier lately in the UK so I thought it was time to talk about my favourite fake tans. I have 5 fake tans that I like to use and some of them are cheaper and others more expensive.




Firstly is a gradual tan from Palmer's and it's their Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Body Lotion. I love the smell of this product as it smells quite strongly of cocoa. I find the smell does stay for quite a while before it starts to fade so if you don't like smelly products then you may not like this. This is a white product which I don't like because I can't see where I've applied it but because it's a gradual tan then it's not too bad if I apply it slightly streaky as it won't go too dark. It's not sticky and because it's a gradual tanner it doesn't need washing off which is good. After one application it leaves a really nice tan. I have used gradual tanners before that haven't made any difference to my skin but this one really does. I was surprised when I first used it how tanned it made me. Depending on how dark you want the tan to go depends on how often you apply it but I find I only need to apply it a couple of days to achieve a great summer tan. The end colour of this is just a gorgeous natural tan. It doesn't streak and lasts about 5 - 6 days after one application but obviously if you apply it a couple of days in a row then it will last over a week. This is available here for £5.35 for 250ml.


Now onto the 'proper' fake tans. I'm going to start with my fourth favourite and go onto my top favourite one.




St Moriz is a mousse self tan available in medium or dark. I have the colour medium. I know all fake tans have that biscuity smell but this fake tan is so bad. It smells so much of biscuits but I do find it fades quite quickly so it's not too bad. This is brown when it comes out the bottle which is great because I can see where I have applied it which helps me not get streaks. You leave this tan on for at least 4-6 hours before washing it off. I like the colour this tan goes - it's a natural bronzed colour that isn't really orange. I do find I can get some streaks with this tan though which isn't good. This tan lasts about 5 - 6 days I find which is pretty good, however as it starts to fade I find it can look slightly patchy. This tan is available from Savers in the UK for £2.99 for 200ml.




Solait Self Tan Foam in dark is an amazing fake tan from Superdrug. I used this tan for the whole of last summer and I love it. The colour from the bottle is brown which is good as I can see where I have applied it. The tan develops over 1 - 4 hours so it doesn't need to be left as long before showering if I am in a hurry. I do find it is slightly sticky for a while and doesn't absorb as fast as some other tans so I need to wait for a while before getting dressed. The end colour is lovely. It's in the colour dark and it is pretty dark but in a very natural way. I am quite pale and it isn't too dark and 'fake' looking for me. I don't get any streaks with this at all and when it fades, it fades naturally. I don't get any patches. This tan last about a week on me but I tend to reapply it every 5 days or so to keep the colour dark. This is available from Superdrug for £5.99 for 150ml.




St Tropez is a lovely fake tan. It probably has one of the strongest fake tan smells but it fades really quickly so I cannot smell it after a while. I smelt it earlier and had forgotten how bad it smelt! As with the others, the colour is brown so I can see where I have put it. It soaks in really quickly so I can get dressed almost immediately. Before showering, the tan needs at least 4 hours to develop which isn't too bad. If i'm not busy then I usually leave my tan to develop for the whole day anyway. The end colour is very natural and pretty dark on me - it looks like I have been abroad for a while. The colour lasts about a week on me. St Tropez is available here for £20.49 for 120ml.




Xen Tan is my favourite fake tan. The bottle can get slightly messy as it's a tube but I don't mind too much as the tan is so amazing. I use the Deep Bronze Luxe which is one of their medium tanning products that give a sun-kissed natural tan. This tan smells the nicest - it smells of vanilla and after a while it does have a faint biscuity smell but not too bad. It sinks in really quickly so I can get dressed straight after I apply it. You have to wait 3 hours before washing it off. The end result is so natural and gives a sun-kissed glow. It is not at all orange. I am left with natural, healthy and tanned skin. I just love the colour this tan gives me - it's my favourite out of all the tans. The product in the bottle is slightly green tinted which stops it being orange. I don't get any streaks with this tan and it lasts just over one week on me. Xen Tan is available here for £21.50 for 236ml.


I hope this post helps when you chose your fake tan. What is your favourite fake tan?



Friday 1 June 2012

Essie Fiji


I went into Boots today and bought Essie Fiji. As soon as I got home I painted my toes with it and I absolutely love it. It is a pale creamy pink that can almost look white. I absolutely love the colour - it looks minimal and lovely on the nails and it also made me looked quite tanned. I put this on my toes as I get Shellac on my finger nails. The brush is a new wider brush which meant that I only needed a few strokes to cover my whole nail and it didn't leave any streaks. I only needed one coat of this for it to be opaque which is great. 


I know this was only a short post but I really love this nail polish and wanted to write about it!


What is your favourite nail polish? Have you tried any of the Essie nail polishes?