Products I've Used Up: The Third Instalment

I've actually surprised myself at how quickly this amount of used up product has accumulated since the last Empties instalment, but after coming to terms with the fact that I own far too many cosmetics it was time to perceiver through those near empty bottles and scrape out that final dregs before I got my hands on anything new. As well as those who's time had come, I've also gone through a few well loved products that I can tell are going to be sorely missed, if not scribbled down on the repurchase list right away!

All About Pink

Pink is something I usually avoid when it comes to make up. I'm a big fan of coral hued variations of the shade, maybe even a pale pastel, but when it comes to full blown pink I tend to shy away. Recently though I've been reaching for this stand out colour over and over again.

The Emma Hardie Family

Alright, you've got me! I've finally caved and decided to talk about the most hyped beauty product since the Naked palette came to town, the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm (and breathe). I've always loved a good rich balm to massage into my skin and melt away everything that shouldn't be there.

Bargain Buy: The Magazine Freebie

Theres nothing like a good bargain on a Monday morning to set you up for the week and although I'm not an avid magazine collector like some, I do have a good browse at the start of the month to hunt out any sample steals. This month's instant 'Yep, I'll have that' moment came from Marie Claire which for £3.80 not only includes the chunky mag itself but a Ciaté Caviar Mini Set.

Summer Highstreet Clothing Haul

After a good few months of solely spending money on beauty products, skincare and cosmetics and yet complaining I had nothing to wear, I decided it was about time to forget the topsy turvy weather we're experiencing in England at the moment and set myself the task of finding some serious Summer pieces. See what I bought below!

6/19/2013

Grab and Go Make Up


More often than not, whether it's due to oversleeping or not being able to stop scrolling though the Bloglovin' app, I find my self out of time and in need of a seriously quick make up fix. While I do love to experiment with my vast cosmetic collection, I'm more than happy to grab a handful of tried and tested products and be out the door most days when only a semi-presentable face is necessary. I've got it down to a six item affair, completely brush free, five minutes max. See everything I use and how it's applied below!

Seventeen On the Spot Foundation | Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit | Smashbox Brow Tech To Go | Maybelline Baby Lips in Coral Crush | MAC Coffee Eye Pencil | No7 Stay Perfect Mascara*


* Gifted Sample


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6/18/2013

The Pre-Cleanse



As odd as it may seem, cleansing has to be the favourite step in my skincare routine and I like to make sure I do as thorough a job as possible. Favourites of the moment include Emma Hardie, REN and of course a pump of good old Liz Earle, however its the steps I take 'pre-cleanse' that help me get the most out of them.

When time is a little short a cotton pad soaked micellar water, this months favourite being the La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution*, quickly sweeps away the majority of make up and dirt lying on the surface while also adding a cooling boost to tired skin. For something a little deeper however I go for a cleansing oil and after recently discovering Origins Clean Energy comes with a pump (which is annoyingly sold separately), thus making things ten times easier it's become one of my bathroom shelf staples. I massage a palm full all over dry skin and watch as makeup literally melts away. A quick splash of water and the product emulsifies, leaving my skin plumped, moisturised and ready for a second, deeper cleanse.

Last up I like to prep my skin with a mist of the La-Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water, a tip I picked up from Isabelle Bellis's 'How to Clean Your Face' series for Into the Gloss which I highly recommend viewing, pen and paper in hand if you haven't done so already. This step softens and prepares the skin and also acts as a tap water neutraliser post-cleanse.

A quick, but necessary routine that I find not only ensures thoroughly clean skin, but saves the amount of actual cleanser needed to do the job. Do you have a pre-cleanse ritual?
* Gifted PR Samples


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6/14/2013

Products I've Used Up: The Third Instalment



I've actually surprised myself at how quickly this amount of used up product has accumulated since the last Empties instalment, but after coming to terms with the fact that I own far too many cosmetics it was time to perceiver through those near empty bottles and scrape out that final dregs before I got my hands on anything new. As well as those who's time had come, I've also gone through a few well loved products that I can tell are going to be sorely missed, if not scribbled down on the repurchase list right away!

Hydraluron Moisture Boost | EVE LOM Cleansing Balm* | Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream | La Roche-Posay Effaclar M | Estée Lauder Daywear Moisturiser | Redken All Soft Shampoo | Redken All Soft Conditioner | L'Oréal Elnett Volume Heat Styling Spray | Batiste Original Dry Shampoo | Philosophy Pumpkin Pie Bath & Shower Gel | Jemma Kidd Light As Air Foundation


* Gifted PR Samples

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6/13/2013

All About Pink



Pink is something I usually avoid when it comes to make up. I'm a big fan of coral hued variations of the shade, maybe even a pale pastel, but when it comes to full blown pink I tend to shy away. Recently though I've been reaching for this stand out colour over and over again.

It all started with a purchase of Sleek's Candy Collection Sweet Cheeks Blush By Three, an ingenious little palette that contains a cream blush and two powder shades all in the same colour family, this one being a delectable candy pink. As with all Sleek blushes the pigmentation is brilliant requiring only a light sweep across the apples of the cheeks to create bold colour. For times when I've wanted something a little more subtle I've been reaching for the Dainty Doll blush in My Girl. Designed for pales skins, this one can be layered and blended without fear of the dreaded 'over-blush' and gives a natural soft flush.

I've even been teaming pink cheeks with pink lips and both MAC's Girl About Town and Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick have been serving me well. The former I like to pair with a simple base and just mascara on the eyes so the lips have all the attention and the latter has become a handbag staple, coming with me wherever I go for a quick top up of a moisture enriched fuchsia hue.

I've also been drawn to pink for nails, Rimmel's Rose Libertine being one of my current favourites, but it's Barry M's Bright Pink that takes the ticket for the perfect dolly shade which not only oozes Summery fun but when teamed with some gold midi rings looks quite sophisticated in my eyes.

Will you be breaking out the Pink this Summer?


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6/11/2013

The Emma Hardie Family



Alright, you've got me! I've finally caved and decided to talk about the most hyped beauty product since the Naked palette came to town, the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm (and breathe). I've always loved a good rich balm to massage into my skin and melt away everything that shouldn't be there. My first love came in the form of the Botanics Organic Cleansing Balm, then they changed the formula and it just wasn't that great anymore. After that I thought the EVE LOM Cleansing Balm was the one for me until on my recent Caroline Hirons inspired crusade to rid Mineral Oil from my skincare routine, I found out that it did in fact contain it and the search continued.

I received my first little tub of this beauty via a Feel Unique Beauty Box a long time ago, thought it was pretty darn good, then completely forgot about it. Meanwhile the entire beauty world couldn't get enough of the stuff and it wasn't until I was alerted to an amazing offer from QVC (basically offering buy one get half free) that I jumped at the chance to fall back in love with the cleanser everyone's gone dotty over.

It contains Moringa seed extract, Wild Sea Fennel and Vitamin E to balance, purify and help minimise open pores, Orange, Neroli and Mandarin extracts to rejuvenate and revitalise and Jasmine, Cedarwood and Rose to recondition dull, dry, dehydrated skin. The great thing about this cleansing balm is that it balances the right amount of richness with a product that doesn't feel overly heavy when applied. The smell is also something that wows me and I find this very relaxing to use in the evening as I scrub the day away. Not only does it remove every trace of makeup from my skin, it also plumps it up and leaves me with what I can only describe as a fresh 'glow'.

A few qualms would certainly be the temperamental packaging, lid leakage (which as you can see has already happened to my larger pot) being the most annoying aspect of this and of course at a steep £34.00, the price! I'm definitely a believer in investing when it comes to skincare though, and for what it does I certainly wouldn't hesitate in paying out for it again and again.

Have you tried the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm? What are your thoughts?


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6/10/2013

Bargain Buy: The Magazine Freebie




Theres nothing like a good bargain on a Monday morning to set you up for the week and although I'm not an avid magazine collector like some, I do have a good browse at the start of the month to hunt out any sample steals. This month's instant 'Yep, I'll have that' moment came from Marie Claire which for £3.80 not only includes the chunky mag itself but a Ciaté Caviar Mini Set.

Having tried a few of these thanks to the Ciaté Advent Calendar this past Christmas I know the formulas are great and the colour combinations work well together. This set contains one of my all time favourite nude shades, Cookies & Cream and the Shooting Star Caviar Pearls. I prefer to use these as an accent nail and the two colours work together for that perfect chic mannequin look with a hint of gold sparkle.

A few other great magazine freebies on offer this month include a Rodial Brazilian Tan Clear with Elle, a choice of four different Models Co. lip and eye products with Glamour, a Nails Inc. Polish with In Style and those are just the ones I can remember from my quick browse this morning!


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Summer Highstreet Clothing Haul




After a good few months of solely spending money on beauty products, skincare and cosmetics and yet complaining I had nothing to wear, I decided it was about time to forget the topsy turvy weather we're experiencing in England at the moment and set myself the task of finding some serious Summer pieces. See what I bought below!



Topshop Mom Jeans | Lavish Alice Dress* | River Island Denim Shorts | River Island Daisy Dress

* Gifted PR Samples

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