Winter Favourites

 

What better time to write this post than when the first hints of spring are starting to show; the plants are starting to grow, days are getting longer and the promise of the Easter Bunny is looming. 

 

This collection of favourites has a definite neutral theme to it that is for sure. In my opinion there is nothing better than 'no make up' make up look that pulls you together when the dark days are getting to you. Classic and timeless. All of these items have seen sufficient use over the last few months in a bid to banish me of my winter blues!

From left to right

This perfect nude nail polish has been gracing my tips almost constantly since Christmas and my desire to wear all things red and/or glittery had run its course. Aptly named shade 372 in 'Nude'. Ever since I discovered KIKO I have loved their nail varnishes. Easy application, a great range of colours, long lasting and a bargain too boot!

I am lucky enough to have a International Santa and one of the things top of my cross-Atlantic wish list was the L'oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in the US only shade of 'Amber Rush'. Many a UK beauty blogger has raved about this and I can tell why. This is without a doubt the perfect rose gold eye shadow and I know that is a bold statement. I cannot tell you how many people have commented on it when I am wearing it and I have to admit a little bit of me delights in telling them it can only be found in the US.

The swatch below is literally a small press into the pigment and a swipe which shows you just how intense it is. Use a primer underneath and it lasts and lasts and lasts!

Onto some skincare and a desperate need to pep up the moisture levels in my severely winter dehydrated skin! Hydraluron is a sticky gel that you put on your face before your full moisturiser and eye cream. There is lots of science behind it - I'll leave that for you to find out for yourself - but it definitely keeps things the right side of moisturised on those cold and windy days. 

Continuing on the KIKO theme this was more of an impulse purchase whilst standing in their packed Westfield Stratford store on the 27th December. The Crystal Sheer Glossy Lipstick in 'Coral Pink' won me over with the packaging. A push down top and iridescent finish *swoons*.

Luckily the product itself is just as awesome. It looks like a bullet of highly pigmented colour but what you are left with is exactly what it says on the tin - a sheer glossy coverage - that leaves enough moisturing colour to perk up that dull winter skin. Its' lasting power is in the same realm as a lip gloss but it is certainly easy to re-apply and even easier to wear.

More eyes and another drug store winner in my opinion. The Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Paint in Rich Russet also gives a great intense shimmer to the lids. Can anyone tell that I love a good shimmer finish! This stuff is a great neutral bronze colour that stays and stays and stays. Blended with a fluffy brush and a slick of mascara your eyes are good to go!

Last but by no means least is the piece de resistance in this group of seasonal favourites, the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette. I literally squealed like a child when I opened this on Christmas Day and it has had a special place in my heart ever since. 

Any type of look needed is easy with this beauty. Paired down neutral, sparkly date night or full on smoky this does not disappoint. I definitely now want the Naked 2. 

Enough said...this is all over the blogosphere with rave review after rave review and much better swatch photos than I would ever achieve so instead I will just leave you with some photos so that you can salivate to yourselves. 

My Winter Skin Savers

Empties

I really like reading empties posts but I haven't had an opportunity to do one myself, as I actually needed to finish some products (I'm not so good at that) and remember not to throw them away! 

So here it goes...

1. Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

By far the best 'drug store' foundation I have used in a long time. For a while I was loyal to the No.7 instant radiance foundation, but this is almost £5 cheaper and it is so much better. A great level of coverage, for the dewy glow that we all so crave. I have to say that putting this on with my real techniques stippling brush has if possible, made it even better. Re-purchase? Already done.

2. Botanics All Bright Soothing Eye Make Up Remover

I am planning to review this soon - damn just given away that I have re-purchased! It has 2 layers, and you have to shake it up before soaking a cotton pad and sweeping over the eyelids. This is great at removing all make up including waterproof mascara, and gel eye liner. It does leave an oily residue which is fine for me at night, as I have quite dry skin and I do find it quite nourishing. However, it does mean that you need a full face wash if you are hoping to re-apply make up. Currently my top remover, but of course Bioderma is totally on my wish list. 

3. Aussie Dual Personality Heat Protector

This is starting to sound like a total love in, but I really liked this product. I'm not actually a massive lover of hair care products (perhaps I just haven't found the one's) but using this before blow drying and straightening made my hair much smoother and much more manageable. After this ran out, I picked up what I thought was the same product from my local Boots, but it most definitely is not the same, and I've been on the look out and cant seem to find exactly the same thing, which is massively rubbish. Yes, I would re-purchase if I could find it!

4. Liz Earle Gentle Face Exoliator

The only face exfoliator I've used for years. Wouldn't go back. Creamy and gentle (no hint of scratch here) and doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or dry after using. My skin is definitely too sensitive to use this everyday although that would probably be OK for people with more 'normal' skin, and I can sometimes find my skin almost craving this at times.

5. Simple Nourishing Eye-Make up Remover Cream

I progressed onto this after finding the standard eye make up remover a little drying and sometimes a bit 'stingy' (is that even a word?). I had this at the same time as the Botanics and it made it difficult to try and finish, as the Botanics is so much easier to use, and smoother to use, if that even makes sense.

6. Liz Earle Hot Cleanse and Polish

I recently reviewed this, although the special edition in aid of The Princes Trust. Seriously love love love this and there is not too much more to say about it!

7. Boots Clean Off Nail Polish Remover

It is hard to get excited about a nail polish remover, and don't worry I'm not about to either. Cheap and totally functional, this also makes relatively light work of glitter nail varnishes which are oh so pretty but usually a complete pain to remove.

Have any of you tried these products, what are your thoughts on them?

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Special Edition

 

This is not me jumping on the bandwagon, this has been a 7 year love affair! I was first introduced  to this in 2005 by my best friend at university. She had been using the product for a while, as she suffered with acne, but had heard that it was also suitable for people with sensitive and dry skin. So I made my first on line order and that was it, I was hooked!

It's difficult to remember what I used before this cleanser, but I don't think it was anything special, possibly something from Simple or what I could steal from my mums dressing table!

To be fair, there isn't much I can say about this product that isn't already all over the blogosphere. If you want gentle, yet effective cleansing then this is the product that you need to try. There are literally no alternatives. In a bid to be thrifty, I have tried the Superdrug version, the sanctuary version and the No.7 attempt at a hot cloth cleanser. They were all left unfinished, because they were too harsh for my skin, or didn't give quite the same results!

I love; the smell, the texture, it's ability to remove all my make up in pretty much one sweep and the way your skin gets a fresh glow after using it. 

I actually follow with the Liz Earle toner and then a moisturiser of my choice, which is currently the Botanics Facial Oil (review to follow) because I had an allergic reaction to the Liz Earle moisturiser the first time I used it. 

The last time I went online to re-purchase some of my key products, I saw that they had this limited edition cleanse and polish available. I love the smell of lavender and I know that rose is brightening and calming for sensitive skin. We also do a lot of fundraising and volunteering for The Prince's Trust at work so I figured it was a win:win situation.

Personally, I do prefer the smell of the original over this limited edition, but the formula is still perfect. The bottle is also double the size of the normal pump bottle, so I certainly got a lot of product for my money. 

Tempted to give it a go...I cannot recommend this enough.

Katie x 

January Pay Day Wishlist

Well done everyone we've made it though the longest month of the year ever, and it is finally pay day! I am definitely planning on treating myself when that cash hits my bank account and so I thought I'd let you all know what I plan on treating myself to. 

My skin is really suffering in this cold weather, so I'm really looking forward to treating it with a few of these skin care products. 

This is my first go at using 'Beauty Sets'. What do you think?

ESPA Spa Hydrating Body Wrap

On a very snowy (but seemingly always football full Saturday) I cautiously made my way to the spa at my gym for a little mid-January treat, that I cleverly booked late last year. I opted for the hydrating wrap as I know how much my skin struggles in the colder months, and thought that it might need a boost!

After stripping down to some rather flattering paper knickers the therapist used a body brush up my legs, arms, over my back and belly always stroking towards the heart. This is to get rid of the dead skin and get everything moving in the right direction. She then used the ESPA 'Exfoliating Body Polish' all over. This is a rich chestnut coloured exfoliator that smells refreshingly of spearmint and gives you that tingly sensation that the majority of minty products have. The therapist then left the room and let me shower it off. At this point my skin already felt smoother than it has in such a long time.

At this point the treatment got serious, and I was lathered in marine mud, then wrapped in tin foil and blankets. Whilst all snugly and warm, and the mud mask setting, the therapist started a wonderful scalp massage with the ESPA pink hair and scalp mud. This is a red clay cream with watercress extract and apricot kernel oil. It was so nourishing and the massage was so so good. My therapist asked if I could keep it on for a little while after the treatment to let it keep doing its magic, so I didn't return home looking my most glamourous but when I did shower it off later that day my hair felt so good!

I was all warm and relaxed and unfortunately had to be unwrapped, and get back in the shower to wash all the mud off. It was seriously smelly!!! The final stage was to be covered top to toe in the deeply nourishing body cream. Perfection!

I took a couple of photos of the products that they used, but apologies they were on my iPhone in a dimly lit room but the packaging of the products is so nice and I can't tell you how difficult it was not to play with all the products on the table when they were staring at me and all looking so pretty!!

 

It wasn't necessarily the most relaxing treatment as your up and down showering but the products used were so luxurious and my skin still feels amazing. I'm trying hard to maintain and build on what good my wonderful therapist had put in.

I love spa treatments and am now going to cash in the spa day that the husband brought me for my birthday.

 

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Bodyshop Haul

The Bodyshop is one of those place I firmly remember as a teenage favourite, which evokes memories of white musk, strawberry shower gel and body butters in an array of sickly scents and pastel colours. The shop had indeed fallen out of my favour and I rarely visited it. But this has changed....

My friend recently hosted a Bodyshop party and whilst the classics above are still firmly available I have to say I was really impressed with loads of the new collections, scents and the quality of the make up. I walked in and as a total beauty junkie I was like a kid in a candy shop and ready to feed my addiction.

I found it so difficult to restrain myself as your able to have a real play with all of the products in the comfort of your own (or friends home) with a glass of wine and loads of girly chat. I ended up ordering this little lot and when it was delivered it was like a mini Christmas Day!!!

• Pink grapefruit body oil
• Ginger sparkle shower gel and hand cream
• Gold shimmer dust
• Eyeshadow quad in smoky moonstone (not pictured)
• Sandalwood and Ginger essential oil

I don't want to do a full review of every product in this post because some of them deserve a little more attention but I do want to mention the essential oil. I was so excited to see that Bodyshop had embraced home fragrance and the rep had a few of the scents to sniff. I have a little oil burner at home and anything with the heady scent of sandalwood and ginger is a winner in my book. This creates a warming enveloping scent perfect for cold dark nights. I have also used this to scent my radiators by dabbing on cotton wall and rubbing over the front. When our central heating turns on it fills every room with its feint scent which is so nice, rather than using fake plug ins! My next plan is to do the same things on my car fans. They also have this scent in a reed diffuser and scented candle, both of which are now on my wish list.

I loved the smell of the pink grapefruit range, it is quite strong but is clean and refreshing. The rep said that you can put this on straight out of the shower and just let it soak in, but my skin is so dry that I can use this as a normal moisturiser and still don't get any sort of oily film on myself, clothes or bedding. I wouldn't say this is a nourishing as a normal cream based body moisturiser and is actually quite summery so I'm looking forward to trying this again when the weather heats up. 

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Birthday & Christmas Wish List

December is fast approaching and is not only a firm festive favourite but is also my birthday month, in fact my birthday is a mere 6 days away.

So here is my birthday wish list, and anything left over goes straight onto the Christmas list (lol)!

1. Hunter Wellies

So I moved to Bristol, and let me tell you a little secret - it rains! A lot! I'm fed up of getting wet feet which makes me miserable for the whole day. These are glossy and adjustable, what more could you want from something so practical.

2. Evernote moleskine notebook

If your not already using Evernote to help you organise your life, then you need to be. I have since 2011 and it literally has my whole life on it. This notebook is designed to make photographing the notes even easier and so will really help when I'm planning some of my work projects. Also who would ever hate receiving stationery!

3. Hunter welly socks

I don't just want dry feet, but I want warm feet to, and these will be just perfect.

4. Lily flame candle in Blush

I was given one of these as a present maybe 3 years ago for Christmas and I was hoooked. The whole range smells AMAZING but this one in particular is my favourtie. It is a strong floral, girly smell and I love, love, love it. It has a regular spot on any gift list I am creating! The whole range is available at John Lewis, and I suggest you go down and have a sniff.

5. Calvin Klein Euphoria

Check out my post on 'My Favourite....Fragrance' - nuff said.

6. Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight face mask

I have read so many great reviews on this, but I have such sensitive skin. So I went to Origins and got a tester and I love it. It makes my skin feel amazing and it also smells delicious too, and so the full size product has earned its way onto the wish list - fingers crossed.

7. Per Una Slippers

These also make a regular appearance as they are my favourite. They look snuggly and the fleece lining means they are. They also have memory foam soles, so they shape to your feet. My shoulders relax just thinking about slipping these on!

8. Duo Boots

Duo boots, is a shop (both online and in the real world) that specialises in making boots in a variety of calf and foot widths. So those of you with the skinnest and the curviest of legs can still get your hands on very fashionable shoes. I brought my first pair a couple of years ago, and until their recent demise wore them almost religiously from around October to April. It is time to invest in another pair and these have caught my eye. I have noted to the parentals, that I appreciate they are rather expensive so we could compromise and for one time only I would consider a joint birthday and Christmas present (one of the horrible things about having a birthday in December).

9. A Personal Planner

I saw these on blogs from those who attended the Leeds #bblogger meet up and I'm hooked. Anything that says; stationery, personal, and organised has me hooked. The site allows you design your own diary or planner and upload your own cover and name. What could be more perfect for a budding blogger.

Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil

I recently made a Bobbi Brown order (more on that in another post) and with it got sent a sample size of the cleansing oil. I have heard mixed reviews on cleansing oils, but given my dry skin I wondered whether they might be really good for me, and how great that the first one I get to try is from this skin care range.

Unfortunately my thoughts are very much 'meh'! No matter what anyone says it does feel wierd to cover your face in oil and to be honest I wasn't sure how much oil to use. After covering my face in a thin layer of oil, I splashed a small amount of warm water and massaged my face. This caused the oil to foam but not in any great quantities, and then rinsed by splashing more water on my face in the old fashioned way, no fancy muslin cloths or sponges here!

After rinsing I thought it left my face a little tight feeling and surprisingly dry given I'd just covered it in oil. It definitely didn't feel as moisturised and glowing as when I get my Liz Earle on. That said it did get rid of all traces of make up, so actually my recommendation is, if you can bring yourself to put oil on your skin and you would class your skin as 'normal' or perhaps 'combination' then this may work for you, provided you have a spare £29 in the bank!

Have any of you tried it, what did you think?

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Skin Savers

Skin care is not easy for me, I have very dry and very sensitive skin so I tend to have to introduce things slowly and even things designed for sensitive or dry skin can cause a reaction which can be bit of bugger. As a result I tend to stick to what I know.

Over the last few weeks I have introduced and been using with great success the products pictured above; Boots Botanics Ultra Calm Serum, Garnier BB for sensitive skin and Avon's Anew Reversalist Night Cream.

Boots Botanics Skin Relief Serum - Ultra Calm

I love the Botanics range and really like the re-designed package which I think is much more modern and fun than it was before. I've been wanting to try a serum for some time and to be honest had my eye on the No.7 version but at £22.00 I felt that I needed to save up a few more advantage points.

So I found this on the shelf, it is currently on an offer so is £4.99 and then when I checked the Advantage card machine I had a 300 points voucher for any purchase from the Botanics range, it is like it was meant to be.

The consistency is a little watery compared to some of the other serums I have tested on my hand but it smooths on easily to the face and is quickly absorbed which is great, because I did worry that it would sit around and make my face look greasy. I have been using it morning and night, as directed before putting on my moisturiser for a week now. My skin tone is definitely more even, my face is less dry and I think it is just genuinely looking in better condition.

I would buy it again, and would happily make it part of my everyday routine going forward, but next time I might buy a different serum and see if it makes a difference. It is definitely a good choice for a start.

It has also made me think that I want to have a better look at this ultra calm range given that I have had no negative skin reactions to the product, as well as a look at the facial oil and the Rosewater Toning Spritz from 2 of the other Botanics ranges which are getting such great reviews at the moment.

Garnier BB Cream for Sensitive Skin

I'm afraid I am a bit behind when it comes to BB and the benefits of them. I have my favoured Bobbie Brown foundation, but it is dear and so I wanted something to wear to work, that would provide a little coverage and would be suitable for the working day. I work in a corporate environment so over the top make up is not really appropriate.

Again I have to be aware of the condition of my skin so chose the version for sensitive skin in the 'light'. What can I say, I love this product. Time is of the essence in the morning so the fact that this will moisturise and give me coverage is great. The coverage is sheer, but does even out my skin tone, and 2 light layers gives sufficient coverage for a work day and a great dewy glow. It also works well as a base for the make up that is already in my collection so definitely a great purchase. Again, a great first go at a BB, and I will be really keen to try another, perhaps from a more premium brand.

Anew Reversalist Night Renewal Cream

OK I'm not going to lie this is a cream for 40+ skin, which is obviously something I don't have but I found this on my mums dressing table and tried it and knew that I had to use it. When I purchased it off Avon I got a great discount, usually it costs £21.50 but I got it for £12.99 along with a complete miniture set of a Renew range, so definitely great value.

Because of who it is aimed at, it is really rich but given that it has around 8 hours to soak in that is not a problem for me and it is definitely helping me combat the dryness that I suffer with. I wake up in the morning with plump and very soft skin, giving the perfect base for my make up.

I think this shows you can't be too black and white with the use of products. Yes this is for 40+ skin but it works for me and certainly earns its place as a skin saviour!

Tell me what your skin saviours are, or if you have any products that are working for your dry and/or sensitive skin?

Until next time ...

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