The Essentials

As a self-confessed beauty product and cosmetic junkie I have a myriad of lotions and potions.  I always have numerous hair sprays, lipsticks, moisturisers etc on the go at any one time.

However, there are those special few items that I will never be without.  The loves of my life in the cosmetic world.  The items I stress about if I potentially lose or use up and don't have a back up.

Let me introduce you to:

THE ESSENTIALS

Clockwise from left:

Sudocrem - The only thing that clears my skin up when I break out.  My saviour.

Nivea Young Tinted Moisturiser - My daily essential to even out my skin tone.  Amazing on its own or as a base for foundation.

Olay Regenerist Thermal Skin Polisher - I should probably dedicated an entire post to this beauty.  Makes my skin feel incredible.

Boots Expert Build Up Removal Shampoo - I've talked about this before - thoroughly rids your locks of a multitude of products, leaving your hair clean and full of life.

Olay Complete Care Multi-Radiance Moisturiser - This is the only moisturiser I've found that provides a matte but radiant finish whilst keeping my moisture levels topped up WITH an SPF.  This deserves a medal!

Seche Vite topcoat - I honestly won't do my nails without this.  No waiting around for half an hour for polish to try and leaves my nails so incredibly shiny.

Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2 in 1 - I stopped using this for about 2 weeks and my skin went insane.  The moral of the story?  I will never be without this again!

Olay Eye Make Remover - My mum has used this for as long as I can remember and she turned me onto it a few years ago.  It just easily removes all my eye make up and doesn't sting my very sensitive eyes - all round winner!

Exfoliating Glove - Just turns any old shower gel into an exfoliator - perfect when my St Moritz turns me all patchy..

No 7 Créme Touch Powder - I have never tried MAC's MSF Natural (call myself a make up enthusiast?!) as  this provides me everything I want a powder to - slight coverage with a semi-matte finish that lasts hours.  I'm not taking the MAC off my to-buy list just yet though... ;)

If you want me to provide a full review for any of these, just let me know in the comments!  

As for me, I'm off to watch The Vampire Diaries.  Stefan, Damon, just how do you choose?!

IN & OUT #2: Holiday Edition

I got back from 2 weeks of Spanish bliss late last night and although I am freezing back in Blighty, I am happy to be home...mainly at the prospect of shopping - I missed Boots.  Sad, but true.

For now.....

IN

• Nivea Young Tinted Moisturiser - I've used this basically every day for 2 or 3 years now and I'm still totally in love with it.  It evens out my skin tone and allows me to blend my face and neck - which never tans - together.  If I want more coverage, I simply mix in some foundation with it, slap it all over my face and I'm good to go
• Jungle Formula Insect Repellent - If you are prone to mozzie bites like me - about 15 per night - you need this in your life when you go abroad!  I've come back with 2 bites - a complete record for me!
• Calypso Dry Oil SPF Spray - If the thought of rubbing greasy sun tan lotion on every few hours fills you with dread, pick up this baby from Superdrug for mere pennies.  If sprays on evenly, dries instantly, smells lovely and keeps you safe in the sun whilst tanning  - a sure fire thumbs up from me!
• French pedicured toes - I do love brights on the toe nails but every once in a while it's nice to tone it down and go for a chic french polish. 

OUT

• My natural hair - Although it's about my desired length now, I cannot stand it's texture.  All messy, wavy and frizzy...without tongs/straighteners in my life I resemble Monica in that Friends episode...you know the one I mean....
• Over packing - Hands up who had to sit on their suitcase to get it to close then wore approximately 5% of what you took????
• Pigging out - That half a stone I lost to go away soon went back on with chocolate croissants and Tango for breakfast every morning, followed by constant eating from then on....Back on the wagon now - I can substitute eating with shopping - sounds good to me!

Out and about this week - Clothes, Make up, Hair & Nails

Dress: Camden Market

Belt: ASOS

It has been so beautifully hot this week that I have spent most of my time in the garden but when needs must and I've had to pop out, I've chosen this dress a fair few times.  It's far too hot to be faffing about with multiple items of clothing so I've just thrown this on, belted up and gone about my business!  The make up has been super-natural - Nivea young tinted moisturiser; any mascara and a clear gloss.

Nivea Young Tinted Moisturiser

L'oreal Studio Secrets HD Smoothing Foundation

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer

ELF Mineral Foundation - to set

No 7 Mosaic Bronzer - to contour

MAC Hush Cream Colour Base - highlight

No 7 Pink Petal Blush

MAC Bare Canvas Paint - all over lid

Zara black eyeshadow - in crease & outer third

No 7 grey/silver - blended into black 

ELF Medium Eyebrow Kit

Prestige Silk Lipliner

Barry M 147 Lip paint

Jemma Kidd Shell Lipgloss

Earrings: Accessorize

Hair: Styled as in my hair routine

A bit more glam for a night on the town!  I did nearly die from the heat when getting ready though - 28 degree weather + hair dryer + curling tongs = a melted George ...!

Nails of the week: OPI - Got a date to-knight

I really cannot fault this polish - gorgeous wearable pink, applies very smoothly and this photo is after 5 days of wear.  One of my faves for sure!!

Marathon project 20 pan update

Well, I'm not quite sure when I started this little experiment but it feels like a lifetime ago and I am well an truly fed up with it.  Yes I broke down today and bought some new goodies - haul time soon! (Smiles all round..!)

Did I reach 20?  No

Did I learn some things?  Yes

Here's a little run down of what I did manage to use up:
(beware - it is a LONG post.  I completely understand if nobody makes it to the end..!)

1. Aussie Dual Personality Curl Definition and Soft Feel Serum

Meant to 'revive and separate curls & keep your hair soft and curvy.' 

For me, I like the smell (typical Aussie) and it does make my hair soft.  Softer then any other serum?  Well, no not really.  As for the curls - I have come to realise my hair is more wavy than curly and I sadly don't think any product will give me the movie star curls of my dreams.

Will I repurchase? NO

       2. Olay Beauty Fluid

A classic product that is suitable for all skin types.  

I just found it a bit blah.  The fact that it is suitable for all skin types just makes me think that it doesn't really do anything??  It didn't mattify, didn't really hydrate, it was just there.  In the end I just ended up using it for my elbows etc when in a rush.  I think this is more suited for a more mature skin that doesn't really a specific type of skincare.

Will I repurchase? NO (Until I hit my 60s anyway...!)

       3. Tek.nique Straightener Spray

This bottle which I picked up from Sally's promises a multitude of things.  Smooths and detangles; adds body and lift; protects from heat; sun protection - to name just a few...

In reality, the heat protectant is its only real use for me.  I most definitely still had to use serums and hair sprays etc to get the smoothness and volume I so wish for..

Will I repurchase? NO

      4.  Nivea Goodbye Cellulite - Anti-Cellulite Gel Cream

I actually won this from a magazine a good few years ago so I can't really give a definitive review as any active ingredients will have faded away in that time.  What I will say, it does feel lovely and cooling on the skin but I'm not sure I believe a product can help with the dreaded cellulite.  I personally saw no results but then I only had enough product left for a week's worth of usage.  I'd love to know if anyone actually had any real results..

Will I repurchase?  Probably not

    5. L'oreal Elvive Styliste Non-Stop Volume Mousse

Unfortunately this had no effect on my hair whatsoever :(  I really couldn't tell the difference if I used it or not and backcombing and hair spray was still a necessity.  I do have quite long, heavy hair though so for all you trendy girls with pixi hair cuts, this may work wonders! 

Will I repurchase? NO

    6.  John Freida Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Perfector

Oh my days I hate it.  I rarely say that but I honestly hate it.  It just turned my hair into a horrible crispy mess. Not even a slightly-crispy-beachy-I'm-cool-with-my-Ke$sh-inspired-hair-mess.  Just a crispy, crunchy mess.

Will I repurchase? NO

    7. Fructis Bamboo Flexihold Hairspray

I actually...wait for it....really like this! Wheyyyy!  It smells like Apple Sourz and gives me hair lots of volume and hold.  Perfect!

Would I repurchase? YES!!!!

   8. Boots Time Delay Gradual Tanning Moisturiser

I think I bought this on a whim with one of those £5 off vouchers that are always floating about.  This actually smells like a really expensive cream and does make my skin feel soft and rejuvenated.  Unfortunately, it makes my eyes water an insane amount and does not give me any hint of a tan.

Would I repurchase? NO

  9. L'oreal Perfect Clean

I absolutely love the scrublet that comes with this product but that is as far as the love goes.  I am technically cheating with this as I haven't used it up at all but it unfortunately broke me out so I don't want to risk using it again.  I have heard great things about this though so don't take my word on this.  I do really want to try the other versions for sensitive skin and exfolation.

Would I repurchase? Not this version

  10.  Simple Oil Balancing Moisturiser

I bought this years and years ago when I had quite oily skin as a teenager.  It therefore is no surprise that this smells very weird as it most probably went out of date a long time ago.  I did give it a try for a few weeks though and I have to say it is very good at mattifying the skin.  However, as my skin is now more dry than oily, it just holds no use for me anymore.  I would recommend it though to anyone with an oily complexion.

Would I repurchase? NO

   11. Dior Capture Totale

This was thrown into a bag when I made a Dior purchase and I never really gave it a second thought.  I have used up the entire pot now though and it is a gorgeous cream.  I think it is probably aimed at an older age group than myself but it did feel really luxurious.  It is very thick and for this reason I only applied it at night to allow it to sink it.  It smells amazing and I did wake up to amazingly soft skin in the morning but for right now I  cannot justify actually buying a full size pot.

Would I repurchase? Perhaps in the future

  12. Superdrug Natural High Brightening Eye Cream

I love this eye cream.  It is cheap as chips, really readily available and makes my undereyes visibly more moisturised.  It contains arnica which is typically used for bruises and therefore really reduces the blueness than can occur under the eyes.

Would I repurchase? Absolutely yes

Conclusions?

All pretty negative really?!!  I guess the reality is, the fact that I didn't use up these products in the first place speaks volumes.  If I had liked them in the first place, they wouldn't be sitting gathering dust.

What have I learnt?

A)  My hair is wavy; not curly.  It therefore will always require heat to achieve any sort of desirable style.  Any products I buy from now on will therefore be for keeping my hair in tip top condition, protecting it from heat styling and for keeping it set in a style for as long as poss.

B) My skin is now basically normal but on the dry side.  I need to focus on protecting it from the sun, keeping it hydrated & plumped up and attempting to even it all out.  I am not 16 anymore! Don't I know it...!

Got this far?!  I salute you - I am bored with myself!

Like, Love, Hate

Thank you Caz for tagging me to do this!  I thought I would use it as my first in/out sort of post. So here are the things I'm liking, loving and hating as of right now...

LIKE

RedKen anti snap – If I could only use one product on my hair for the rest of my life, this would be it. It has seriously made the world of difference to my hair and it smells gorgeous too.

Revlon Lipgloss in Peach Petal - I bought this a week or so ago and I have used it every day since. It is basically GOSH Darling but in a lipgloss and therefore a little bit easier to wear.

Receiving awards for my blog – I will get round to posting about them tomorrow!

Xen-Tan Deep Bronze – I've applied this twice now and I really do like it. I don't LOVE it though. It does give an amazing colour but even though I left it for 8 hours a lot of colour still rinsed off in the shower. It also stains your hands so badly and if you do mess a bit up it seems impossible to scrub off. Not HG material but I do like it. I may do a more in-depth review next week sometime.

LUSH sugar scrub - The scrub is really abrasive and left my skin so amazingly smooth. It doesn't smell all that great – slightly medicinal due to the fennel and ginger it contains but I can deal with it considering the way it made my skin feel. This costs £2.60 and I got 4 applications out of it. I would therefore definitely re-purchase for those huge body blitzes we all need now and then, especially with summer fast approaching.

LUSH Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter – This stuff is just amazing. The tiniest bit can do both hands and so £5.50 for a pot is amazing. I have also been using it on my feet over night and I wake up with soft, supple feet – what every girl needs!

Pastel nail varnishes – I seriously cannot enough. Currently I have on OPI's Panda-monium Pink but this will change tomorrow I should think! I'll definitely post some NOTD's this week.

Heated Rollers – I completely forgot that I own a set of Babyliss heated rollers – how awful is that? I decided that they need some love and so I used them before I went out last night. I love how easy they make doing your hair, they take 10 minutes to pop in and then you can forget about them and do something else. No faffing around in front of the mirror for half an hour with tongs. I feel they may make a welcome return to my hair routine from now on.

Hollister – Polo shirts; lumberjack shirts; candy striped cami's; distressed denim mini skirts...enough said really. I won't be able to get away with preppy clothes for much longer so I am embracing them now. They do need to sort out the lighting in their shops though – I always manage to walk into something. And did you know the sales assistant's are auditioned to say 'Hi, what's up?' for when they greet customers? Ridiculous, no?! If they fail they get banished to stock room duties....ouch.

The L'oreal 'Scrublet' – This little baby makes my skin feel refreshed and thoroughly cleansed. The little bristles seem to work themselves into your pores and clean them deep down. I think my skin is definitely look a lot more revitalised since purchasing this bad boy.

Summer holidays – Seeing as my trip to Crete got cancelled this week I can't wait to get some real sun this summer in France, Spain and possibly Ibiza. I now just need to update my summer wardrobe...

Being back in Manchester – I loved being at home but it is great to be back with all my friends and to feel independent again. Had a fantastic night out last night but completely forgot to take any photos so I can't do an OOTN for you...sorry guys!

LOVE

Rediscovering my old foundation routine. I'm not quite sure why I ever changed as it makes my skin look flawless. The saviours?

Nivea Young tinted moisturiser
MaxFactor Liquid Illusion foundation
GOSH Touch Up Concealer
No 7 Crème Touch powder buffed in with a kabuki

I was at my wit's end a week or so ago when no foundation seemed to sit properly on my face for more than half an hour. I then remembered this routine and swiftly when to Boots to repurchase all the products. Cue semi-matte flawless looking skin that lasts the test of time. I'm not going to bother experimenting anymore with foundations – until I get bored again.

HATE

Leggings with a top that doesn't cover the crotch area – not a good look for anybody! Especially when the leggings are basically extra thick tights and you can see a girl's underwear...come on girls sort it out!

Messy housemates – 2 hours of cleaning mess that wasn't mine? Let's just say my Friday afternoon was not an enjoyable one.

Cracked heels and unpainted toe nails – Pedicures should be free on the NHS. Why bother with pretty flip flops and gladiators if your feet ruin the look?! Argh I hate feet at the best of times!

Looming exams – I should be revising but blogging is such a welcome distraction!

Unblended eyeshadow – one of the worst beauty crimes??!

I was meant to mention 3 more but I guess I'm just in a happy place right now! No other things I'm hating at the moment...

I tag anyone who hasn't done this yet as I know it has done the rounds a bit!

xxx