A Skincare Routine With Jurlique

Jurlique is a skincare brand that have always been on my radar because of their cult product amongst bloggers, the Rosewater Balancing Mist, yet I hadn't really much experience of them myself. Jurlique have recently opened a lovely new counter in the Chester Debenhams store so I was invited along to see it for myself & have a skincare consultation. 

The Libbie Club Subscription Box

The Libbie Club is a monthly beauty subscription box in which you receive 3 full sized products for a one-off joining fee of £35. As a Libbie member you try out the products you receive, write a review on them & then hopefully influence your friends & family to give the products a go, meaning you secure next months box. 
I have combined both July & August's products in the photo as I didn't have the chance to share July's box. I thought it would be a good idea to show you though as you can see the wide range of full sized products I've received so far. In August's box I received a Nizz Cosmetics Lustre Lipstick, Indeed Labs Nanoblur & Mizon Placenta Ampoule Cream with the boxes focus being on protecting & perfecting your skin for Summer.
First up is the Mizon Placenta Ampoule Cream, a hydrating & anti-ageing cream. I have to admit the word 'Placenta' threw me off a little but after reading up on it I was relieved to see its not animal but in fact nutrient-rich plant placenta. It's used to promote skin regeneration as well as help to hide any existing lines. The Hyaluronic Acid & Trehalose help your skin to absorb & retain moisture, so my skin has been feeling super soft recently!  If you fancy trying out Mizon Placenta Ampoule Cream (50ml) then you can currently purchase it with 20% off, making it £20.40. 
Next is the Indeed Labs Nanoblur, I've been using this straight after moisturising my skin as a primer for my makeup to sit on. It has similar properties to the Mizon Cream but rather than hydrating skin it aims to smooth out the complexion & reduce the size of pores. I absolutely love this stuff, after applying it my pores are dramatically smaller in size & my skin looks & feels a lot fresher. It gives my skin a flawless appearance, giving me a much needed confidence boost. Indeed Labs Nanoblur (30ml) is available for £16.99, which is 15% off the RRP & in my opinion well worth it!
Finally, the third item in the box is the Nizz Lustre Lipstick, a beautifully soft lip product, with perfect application & a lovely creamy finish. The blend of fair trade butter, oils & waxes that they are made from nourish & protect the lips, so not only are you getting a lip colour but a lip balm too. Mocha Nude is a perfect everyday shade for me, it's highly pigmented meaning the colour pay-off is achievable in one application. These lipsticks are extremely high quality as they are vegetarian, hypo-allergenic & paraben-free - natural products are always a winner in my eyes! Pick up a Nizz Cosmetics Lustre Lipstick for £16, there are 3 pretty shades to choose from, Mocha Nude, Cashmere Nude & Rose Nude. 
There are also plenty of other discounts over on My Libbie Page, such as 30% off a Magnitone Barefaced! Cleansing Brush, go have a look & see if you fancy snapping up a deal or two!
Will you be signing up to Libbie Club or be treating yourself to any of this months products?
L x

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July Favourites

My favourites are pretty minimal this month, it's been a busy one not giving me much chance to try anything new really. 
My lovely friend, Becca, gifted me the Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer which recently launched as part of their Fall 2016 collection! I have the shade 'Fair' which is a perfect match for me & my pale complexion. It blends beautifully, instantly hiding my imperfections & dark circles providing me with flawless coverage. 
The L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique Cushion Foundation has not left my face in the whole of July (obviously I've removed it before bedtime though...) it's everything I look for in a base product & more. Cushion Foundations are pretty new to the market but most people seem to be loving them & I certainly do. You literally tap your makeup brush into the 'cushion' which is a sponge filled with product & apply it to your face. The formula is very light but extremely buildable so you can easily achieve the coverage you desire. 
Antipodes Rejoice Light Facial Cream has been my go-to moisturiser of the month. It's light, sinks in quickly & has a lovely sweet Vanilla & Almond fragrance. I'm also obsessed with the packaging, so simple yet really attractive looking - especially in blog photos ;)
Tartelette Tease Clay Palette is another gift from Becca, aren't I a lucky girl! It houses six dreamy eyeshadows, ranging from a light pink to a plum with a couple of shimmer shades as well as matte ones. It's the perfect palette to pop in your travel bag as it's pocket sized & contains enough pretty shades to create a look for every occasion. 
It's a well known fact that I'm pretty damn lazy when it comes to moisturising my body. I mean I wish I wasn't but when I've just hopped out of the shower the last thing I want to be doing is freezing my butt off whilst I rub moisturiser everywhere. I received the Cowshed Wild Cow Invigorating Body Lotion in my July Libbie Box (I'll be popping up a post soon!) & I've actually become a big fan of moisturising thanks to this. It is such a refreshing lotion that as soon as I apply it I want to keep on applying it, I can't get enough of the fresh Lemongrass fragrance & the way it makes my skin feel revitalised.
And, finally I have been loving my Rose Gold Eyelash Curlers from good ol' Primark. At only £1 they're a huge bargain & an Instagrammable bargain at that! These work a treat & give my lashes a perfect curl.
What are your July Favourites?
L x 
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Antipodes Organic Skincare

In celebration of Organic Beauty Week I have been trying out some new skincare bits from the Organic skincare brand Antipodes. Antipodes are an award-winning certified organic & vegetarian brand that offer a range of skincare, body care & makeup. Having already used their Resurrect Facial Toner in the past I jumped at the chance to welcome some more of their products into my skincare regime. Before talking about each of the products I want to mention the packaging, something I often forget to do when I'm reviewing beauty products but I can't go any further without giving it some appreciation! The green floral wallpaper style is really pretty yet represents what Antipodes are all about, natural & organic. I make sure to pop each item back into their cardboard box & sit them neatly on my dresser because I love it so much.

Starting with the Grapeseed Butter Cleanser* (£24.99) as this is the first product I use out of the three it makes sense to begin with it! This cleanser is different from any I've used before as it's a balmy consistency, hence it being titled a 'butter cleanser'. I use the little spatula it came with to scoop up a small amount and then massage it into my skin. It melts quite quickly into an oil and the small grape seeds also melt down but provide that extra bit of exfoliation too. It has a really relaxing aroma which is why I especially love using it a night before I go to bed, the lavender & blue chamomile is calming & also helps to soothe my skin. It smells so so good, sometimes I just go & sniff the pot if I'm feeling stressed, is that weird? *hands over eyes monkey emoji*

After my skin is feeling clean & refreshed I apply the Worship Superfruit Antioxidant Serum* (£34.00). Using a serum is a recent addition to my skincare routine, I always knew I should be using one but never got round to finding one to use so when the lovely PR lady recommended it to me I couldn't say no! The Worship serum is packed with ingredients that aim to keep skin youthful by protecting skin cells against early ageing. It feels a little drying on my skin as it soaks in but its nothing a bit of moisturiser can't fix! 

And last but certainly not least I finish off my skincare by applying the Rejoice Light Facial Day Cream* (£26.99). It's a lovely thin moisturiser that contains Manuka Flower, Sweet Almond and pure organic Avocado oil. The Manuka Flower ingredient is able to aid healing thanks to it's antibacterial & protective properties & as my skin has been particularly bad recently I'm so pleased to see my blemish scars fading away! Avocado Oil is nutrient rich meaning it helps keep skin healthy as it is able to transform tired, stressed looking skin into a fresh complexion. The moisturiser sinks in quickly & leaves my skin ready for me to apply my makeup, which I have to say applies beautifully. The best thing about this product though has to be the fragrance, Sweet Almond & Vanilla Pod, I'm a sucker for anything Vanilla scented!

Have you tried anything from Antipodes?
L x

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Sk:n Skincare

Sk:n are not only a skincare brand but they also have their own clinics up & down the Country which offer a wide range of treatments, such as Acne Treatment, Tattoo Removal & Laser Hair Removal. The clinics feature state of the art equipment, meaning any treatment you receive is done with the most up-to date technique. I've been trying out a couple of their skincare products, but I'd love to take a trip to a clinic one day for various reasons!

The Facial Exfoliating Cleanser for Normal Skin* (£26.00) is a creamy cleanser, with a  similar consistency to Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish. The difference with this cleanser is that it contains Glycolic Acid & Glycerin which exfoliates the skin that bit further by helping to remove dead skin cells & clear pores. I find it very effective at cleansing my skin, it feels gentle yet manages to break down makeup ensuring it's left clean & refreshed. 
The second product I've been using is the Anti-Ageing Age-Delaying Cream for Younger Skin* (£33.75) I've been keen to incorporate an Anti-Ageing moisturiser into my skincare routine ever since I read that you are never too young to start protecting your skin from ageing. I'm 23 & already fine lines have started to appear across my forehead & around my eyes (early signs of crows feet!? eek!) & whilst everyone I mention it to denies it, I'm very aware of them! Obviously I can't see any overnight results from using this but it's reassuring knowing I am taking a step to (hopefully) preserve my skin, I guess only time will tell! The moisturiser contains Vitamin A which helps to regulate cell turnover which is vital to keep your skin looking healthy, younger & fresh. It also has Shea Butter in it which explains why my skin always feels so soft & hydrated after I've applied it. 
Have you tried any products from sk:n?
L x

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January Favourites

I'm so excited (& probably a little too eager!) to type up this post today, not only because it's the first monthly favourites of 2015 but because it contains products I've lusted after for so long that I finally got my hands on over Christmas which well & truly live up to the hype around them!  Lets start from the top of the photo, the first item being the Rose Gold Zoeva 102 Silk Finish brush (which is slightly out of focus, apologies but I'm still getting to grips with my shiny new camera!) I am completely obsessed with using this brush to apply my foundation. It's quite dense with a rounded head which makes blending & buffing a complete dream. It makes my foundation appear seamless & I just love it so much! In fact the whole set is amazing, so keep an eye out for a full review soon! Next is a skincare item from Soap & Glory, my favourite drugstore brand when it comes to both skincare & bath products. I picked the Fab Pore 2-in-1 Facial Pore Purifying Mask & Peel on a complete whim when I was feeling really fed up of my skin & in desperate need of a 'quick fix'. I haven't read any reviews on this but I think it deserves so much more recognition! Soap & Glory state that this is going to be your new favourite mask & it's true, it's definitely mine! I've been using it once a week to shrink my pores & improve the general appearance of my skin. It gives my skin a new lease of life, it feels a million times better, my pores are virtually invisible & my blemishes seem a lot calmer. Its £10 a pot but theres always offers on S&G stuff so I got it for about £8, it's well worth it! NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is a base product that I have wanted to try out for SO long, but I was always put off by the price tag so when my Mum offered to get it me for Christmas I jumped at the chance. Honestly, I wish I hadn't waited so long to try it! I've had so many compliments when I've been wearing it & it's completely rekindled my love with applying makeup. You know when you have those 'meh' days because your skin is looking blah & you can just tell your makeup isn't going to sit right? Well this completely transforms my skin, it's a miracle in a bottle & is definitely up there with my other fave foundation, YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat. I'm always so nervous to splurge on high end makeup incase I don't like it, but sometimes it's worth the risk!  Another product from Soap & Glory has made it's way into my January Favourites, this time something from their makeup range. I feel like I've been waiting forever to buy the Archery 2-in-1 Brow Filling Pencil & Brush, literally every time I went into my local Boots it was always out of stock... I even sneakily opened the drawer underneath the stand to see if any were hidden but to my disappointment there wasn't! Last week I ended up going over to Liverpool where I got drawn in to the huge Boots & to my delight the S&G stand was fully stocked so I grabbed the archery pencil in the shade 'Hot Chocolate' & trotted of to pay for it without even thinking twice! Even though this has only been in my life for a short while it's changed my eyebrow routine for the better, quick short strokes, a brush through with the spoolie & my brows are filled within a minute or so. The colour is a perfect match too & my brows don't seem to disintegrate throughout the day either! My most-loved fragrance of the month is Daisy Dream by Marc Jacobs. I have a couple of MJ perfumes plus some mini handbag versions so when Daisy Dream was released I knew it would eventually end up in my collection. Everything from the bottle adorned with daisies & the light, fruity, floral scent is lovely & right up my street. I've been spritzing it ever since Doms parents kindly surprised it with me (love that my "in laws" know me so well!) & I can't get enough of it! It's such a Spring/Summer kinda scent, as are most of the MJ fragrances, so it's nice to spray this when the days are dull & be reminded of the warm Summer days that are ahead of us, hopefully! I always have what seems like a 101 lip balms on the go at once & usually just grab whatever is closest to me but this month I've been choosing the Burts Bees Peppermint Beeswax Lip Balm more often than not. I find Burts Bees to be one of the most nourishing lip balms, they're filled with natural ingredients such as Coconut & Sunflower oils plus lots of vitamins & essential fatty acids to condition, soften & hydrate. The Peppermint flavour is really refreshing & tingles a little bit, which to me is a sign it's working! Tigi Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Nourishing Shampoo* & Conditioner* have been my hair washing products of choice this month. If you've read my blog for a while you'll probably be fed up of me mentioning how dry my hair can be but seriously it's getting to the stage that it now forms dreadlocks if I don't brush it straight away after washing!! I'm forever soaking it in Moroccan Oil & using various other products that lock in moisture, whilst I still love all of the previous products I've used it's good to switch up your haircare routine every now & again! It's a nice change to have a shampoo/conditioner that doesn't have a fruity scent, the Honey & Oatmeal provide a comforting kinda smell, think breakfast & porridge & you're on the right tracks and the best thing is that the scent lingers around, I love it when you get wafts of a scent all day long! It definitely helps to tame my hair as it always feels silky soft during & after I've washed it, I hate shampoos that make your hair have that weird squeaky clean feeling whilst you're rinsing out the product. The gift pack is currently only £14.50 which is pretty good considering individually they would normally retail between £24-£30. What are your January Favourites? L x

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pond's institute skincare

Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser 50ml* - £4.99 | Pond's Eye Contour Cream* - £7.99

Pond's Institute is a skincare brand that has been around for about 150 years & is a firm favourite in my family with the Cold Cream Cleanser being a product that my Nana has sworn by since her teens! 

Contained in a glass jar with a pretty pink lid the Cold Cream Cleanser is a little bit different from your usual makeup remover as it is actually made up of 50% moisturiser. So as well ensuring your skin is left clean & makeup free it provides plenty of hydration too! I take a small blob of it & begin massaging it onto my face in circular motions to break up the makeup, oils & any other dirt on my skin before I grab a warm flannel to remove the residue from my face. It eliminates all traces of dirt & even stubborn makeup such as mascara, so there's never any need to reach for my eye makeup remover, reducing the amount of steps in my skincare. The less time spent removing the days makeup, the quicker I can get into bed - a win win situation! The cream has a very natural & fresh scent, that helps me feel refreshed before I hop into bed. Whilst doing my research I learnt that the Cold Cream is a multifunctional product & can in fact work as a nourishing face mask, a hand cream, a brow set & a highlighter as well as being a cleanser & moisturiser. Pond's Institute Brand Ambassador Arabella Preston actually recommends finishing your makeup look by dabbing a small amount of the Cold Cream along cheekbones to create a natural, highlighted glow. I've yet to try this little makeup tip, it's not something I would have ever considered before but I'm definitely going to give it a go! Priced at under £5 it's ideal for someone like me who is living on a tight budget whilst my boyfriend & I are saving up & as it agrees with my skin I will be keeping a pot of this in my skincare stash at all times! 

The next Pond's product I've been trying out is the Eye Contour Cream, a skincare item that has been missing from my life for far too long! I have to admit I've rarely paid much attention to the skin around my eyes but lack of sleep & some stressful situations has resulted in my eye area looking tired & in need of some TLC. The Eye Contour Cream is filled with nutrients & vitamins to care for the skin & reduce puffiness. I literally apply the tiniest amount, a little goes a long way with this stuff & I gently tap it into my skin with my ring finger. The gel like consistency feels very cool & revitalising, it's such a treat to apply & instantly feels like my tired eyes are awakened. 

Have you tried anything from Pond's before?

L x 

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another micellar water?

Botanics All Bright Micellar 3 in 1 Cleansing Solution - £2.99 Beauty bloggers & the beauty industry as a whole have gone crazy for Micellar waters ever since Bioderma became the 'it' skincare product to be using. With Bioderma being difficult to buy unless you lived in France or London it created an opportunity for other brands to add a micellar water to their product range. Over the past year or so lots of alternatives have been hitting the shelves of Boots, Superdrug & even the supermarkets, with L'Oreal & Garnier being just two of those companies that joined in with the cleansing water craze!
Botanics are skincare brand that I have used & loved in the past so when I popped into Boots to pick up some more cleansing water & spotted they had an introductory offer on their new cleansing waters so I thought I'd give the All Bright one a try. There is also an Ultra Calm version available too which I'll be picking up next! This water is very similar to all of the others I have tried before, it has the same water like consistency & feeling, it removes makeup/dirt quickly & efficiently & feels refreshing on my skin. The difference between this one & the other ones I have tried is that Botanics have provided more than just a cleanser, which explains the name '3 in 1 Cleansing Solution'. You might be wondering, how is a micellar water 3 in 1, surely it just works as a cleanser? Well this product contains Hibiscus which is known for it's brightening & properties so with this ingredient being included the water is not only able to remove the daily build up of dirt & makeup it also helps to brighten your skin. The third & final part to the 3 in 1 cleansing solution is that the water acts as a mild exfoliant thanks to the Hibiscus flower's natural AHA's (according to Google this stands for Alpha Hydroxy Acid!). This little bottle of natural skincare not only helps to clean my skin but also exfoliates & brightens, three things for under £3! I love that it's powered by nature, it preps my skin ready for the next step in my routine & is the most affordable of the bunch. 
Have you used a micellar water before? Which one is your favourite? L x

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soap & glory no clogs allowed super self-heating deep pore detox mask

No Clogs Allowed Super Self-Heating Deep Pore Detox Mask - £11.50

I'm always saying this but Soap & Glory are my all time favourite brand when it comes to bath & body stuff. I've built up quite a stash of stuff because more often than not I can never resist picking up something new when I pop into Boots! The latest addition to join my little family of S&G products is the No Clogs Allowed Super Self-Heating Deep Pore Detox Mask (bit of a mouthful!) which retails at £11.50 but Boots often have offers on such as a 1/3rd off all S&G skincare.

The mask itself is a thick paste that contains colour changing technology as it warms up. The self-heating aspect is quite a weird sensation at first but now I'm used to it I find it really relaxing & comforting. It heats up as you start to apply it & stays warm for around 5 minutes before it needs washing off. Like it says on the directions, I massage a grape sized amount all over my face but mainly focus on the most blemish prone area which tends to be my T-Zone. It's starts off as a yellow white shade & turns blue once you begin scrubbing it into your skin with wet hands. It does feel like quite a grainy face mask but the beads quickly dissolve. One thing I really like about this mask is that it doesn't harden up & crack, so you can actually move your face without having to worry that it will crumble all over you. It feels like it's working due to the heat activation & although it's an exfoliator it contains micro beads so it's not gritty & doesn't feel harsh at all. It's really easy to remove too, I simply rub a warm flannel all over my face & then use a bit of extra water to rinse my face again.  I love the way my skin feels after I use this, the micro beads polish the surface so it's literally baby skin soft! I actually expected my skin to feel dry & tight after using it, because most face masks do tend to dehydrate the skin but I don't experience that at all. The visibility of any blemishes/blackheads I previously had is reduced thanks to the salicylic acid which melts away sebum & detoxes my skin. I use it once a week to try keep any spots at bay & to give my skin a good exfoliate to keep it looking clean & healthy.

Have you tried No Clogs Allowed?

L x

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eucerin skincare

Eucerin DermoPurifyer Cleanser* - £9.00 Throughout my teenager years I was always very lucky with my skin & rarely had any spots or breakouts however I've started to get quite oily skin around my T-Zone so when Escentual offered bloggers the opportunity to try out Eucerin's DermoPurifyer Cleanser I thought I would give it a go. Escentual were also kind enough to send a goodie bag filled with lots of samples from Eucerin & I'm loving both the Even Brighter Day & Night creams. 
The cleanser is a clear gel consistency which lathers up in to a foam when you rub it into your skin. I tend to rub it in for a couple of minutes then rinse it away with a warm cloth. Surprisingly my skin isn't left feeling tight or dried out, something that I usually find after using foaming cleansers. Instead my skin feels soft & squeaky clean, it's a really refreshing feeling. It's gentle but still effective at removing dirt & oily residue left over from my makeup, I can see quite a difference in the level of oil around my nose area after using it. I have to say I noticed that my breakouts have been minimal over the last couple of weeks, I often get sore under the skin spots around my nose & chin but I only seem to have had the odd one recently. I think the packaging is rather clinical looking, however thats really the only fault I can find with this product & it's not really a major issue. Escentual currently have a 1/3 off French Pharmacy Brands, which means you can pick up this cleanser for only £6! 
L x

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skincare routine

Over the past year or so I've been making a real effort with my skincare routine & have slowly but surely built up a collection of products that I trust to look after my skin. I've learnt to ditch the makeup wipes & introduce products that will cleanse, nourish & generally take care of my skin. Obviously I'm not a skincare expert & this routine is just what I have found works for me. Although skincare is different for each & everyone of us I love a good nosey into other beauty bloggers skincare regime, so here is mine...
Cleansing: To start with I remove the bulk of my makeup with Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water soaked onto a couple of cotton pads. If I'm wearing heavy eye makeup I will also use Johnson's Gentle Eye Makeup Removal Pads, I love how gentle they are around my eye area. I then move on to use Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish to ensure I've removed my makeup completely & got rid of any dirt etc! I rub it all over my face in circular motions & then wipe it off with a warm flannel or muslin cloth. After this I splash my face with cold water & pat it dry with a towel.
Moisturising: I've been all about achieving healthy glowing skin at the moment, I was fed up of having a tired & dull looking complexion so I routed through my beauty stash to see if I had any products that could help improve it. I've been massaging the Balance Me Radiance Face Oil into my skin each morning & evening to add moisture which plumps up my skin for a more radiant & healthy looking glow. I then add the Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser for added moisture & also protection as it contains SPF25. 
Treatments: In the mornings I tend to have quite puffy eyes, probably due to lack of good quality sleep & not drinking enough water each day! To try & counteract this problem I use the Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion to freshen up my eye area & reduce the puffiness. If I am having a proper pamper evening I soak a cotton pad with it & leave them over my eyes for 10-15 minutes whilst I relax, it's such a nice treat & my eye area feels so soothed afterwards! Another treatment I tend to reach for quite regularly is the Origins Super Spot Remover. I often suffer with horrible under the skin spots which can be quite painful & take ages to disappear so when I can tell one is about to erupt on my face I make sure I dab a blob of this gel over it & leave it on whilst I sleep. In the morning the skin in that area is quite dry but it helps to reduce redness & heals it quicker than if I didn't use anything on it at all.
These are the products I use virtually everyday, I will also use a mask once or twice a week but I'm planning a separate post on my top face masks so keep your eyes peeled for that!
What is your favourite skincare product?
L x 
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balance me natural protection moisturiser spf25

Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser SPF25* - £26.00

A couple of weeks ago I was kindly invited to attend a Balance Me event in London but unfortunately due to working commitments I couldn't attend, so the lovely PR lady sent me some treats instead. One of the items I received was the Natural Protection Moisturiser which I've been using each day. Being pale I burn very, very easily & generally have a huge fear of skin damage because of how painfully burnt I've been in the past. Having said that I never really thought to apply an SPF to my face unless I was on holiday abroad & have only relied on my foundation to provide protection until now. This moisturiser contains natural ingredients to block out both UVA and UVB rays, which in turn helps to reduce visible signs of premature ageing. It keeps my skin hydrated, soothed & shielded from any environmental damage from the sun or even pollution. The cream itself feels very thin however it applies as though it is much thicker as it creates a film of product all over my skin but it sinks in surprisingly quickly & the white mask of moisturiser that was there moments before has set to work to ensure my skin is protected! It has a very natural scent which I'm not particularly fond of but it doesn't linger once it's soaked in & a fresh natural smell reassures me that the product contains no nasty ingredients! Whilst using this moisturiser my foundation has applied really well over the top & although I can't see any physical changes in my skin at least I am now helping to reduce any future skin damage.
What products do you use to protect your skin?
L x

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garnier micellar cleansing water - a dupe for bioderma?

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water 400ml - £4.99 Micellar Water is a product that has recently found it's way into my beauty regime, after first giving into the hype & trying out Bioderma I've been testing out different ones along the way. When I spotted this Garnier one on the shelves of Superdrug for just over £3 I couldn't say no to picking up a bottle, especially since Bioderma isn't the easiest to get hold of now I don't live in London, an affordable version is just what I've been after!
The water like consistency removes all traces of my makeup without the need to rub any product in, literally sweep a soaked cotton pad all over my face & ta-da, my face is wiped away! It's also great for people like me who admittedly get a little lazy when it comes to skincare as this doesn't require any rinsing afterwards. I do tend to cleanse again after using it with something more creamy, just to ensure all makeup has disappeared & any dirt is removed. My flannel always seems to be clean, so Garnier's claim that this product is like a magnet when it comes to lifting dirt away is pretty accurate! I love the feeling of Micellar Water's on my face & it's no different with this one either. It's so refreshing & soothing, leaving my skin clean & fresh. One of the best things about this product is the fact it doesn't sting my eyes which is blumin' amazing because I often wear a lot of eye makeup which can be quite tricky to remove. This wonderful solution sweeps away everything, even stubborn mascara in a matter of seconds. It's also great to use this product in the morning to freshen up my face before I use my morning face wash. Another positive is that theres a lot of product for your money, 400ml which apparently equals up to 200 uses, I've been using it each day for the past week & hardly used any, I can definitely see it lasting for ages! In comparison to the L'Oreal water I much prefer the packaging of this one, I waste a lot less product due to the bottle being a better design it pours out at a more controlled rate, whereas the L'Oreal one tended to squirt everywhere! It's basically identical to Bioderma, the solution works exactly the same & even the bottle is very similar! I'd actually go as far as saying this is my favourite between the two because it's less than half the price, I can purchase it easily & I don't waste as much product when pouring it onto cotton pads. In my opinion, it's definitely the high street dupe for Bioderma, it's secured itself a firm position in my skincare routine & is one of my favourite skincare products yet!
Have you tried this Garnier Micellar Water?

L x 

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liz earle cleanse & polish hot cloth cleanser

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser - £14.75

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish is probably one of the most raved about skincare products in the beauty blogging world, I'm aware there are about a million other posts but one more review won't hurt! I've mentioned it a couple of times on my blog already in my monthly favourites post, it really is an absolute gem of a product in my opinion & deserves all the recognition it gets & more. 

To start with I apply the creamy cleanser to my forehead, nose, cheeks & chin in circular motions & then move onto my eye area. It's very gentle & doesn't hurt or sting my eyes at all but is really effective at removing all my eye makeup, even mascara which I always find tough to get off completely. Once I've rubbed it all over my face I take either a muslin cloth or flannel that has been run under the hot tap & leave it on my face for about 10 seconds & then I use it to buff all my makeup/dead skin cells/dirt/etc away. My skin feels soft, fresh & 'polished' without having to use anything harsh like a scrub. Price wise I originally thought it was expensive to spend on a face wash, I wasn't really into skincare & used to take my makeup off with a wipe. However when the first bottle I ever bought last year lasted me a good 5 months with everyday use (apart from the occasional lazy day - we all have them!!) I realised it was much better spending £14 every 5 months rather than £2-3 on a pack of wipes every couple of weeks! Plus I can't stand the feeling after using a wipe anymore, I much prefer using a product full of natural ingredients that leaves my skin feeling lovely & fresh!

Have you tried the popular Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish?

L x

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l'oreal skin perfection micellar solution

L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution - £4.99

I mentioned in this post that the L'Oreal Micellar water is an alternative to the highly raved about Bioderma, I'd actually go as far as saying it's a dupe as it really is that similar. Applied in exactly the same way by soaking a couple of cotton pads with the solution & sweeping it all over your skin it removes makeup & other impurities in a matter of seconds. The water-like consistency dissolves makeup as it claims, although I don't think it's quite as good as Bioderma is at removing eye makeup & on the odd occasion it has made my eyes sting slightly. It is really refreshing to use as it literally feels like cold water so it leaves your skin feeling toned & soothed, again identical to Bioderma. I'm not a fan of the packaging at all, I just prefer the round Bioderma bottle & again as mentioned with Bioderma, I tend to waste a lot of the water because it pours out too quickly & drips everywhere! However for a product that does an almost identical job for a fraction of the price & can be located on the high street easily I will probably repurchase this again & again!

Have you tried this Micellar water?

L x

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bioderma sensibio h2o

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Solution Micellaire 250ml - £10

I know there are a million & one blog posts of Bioderma out there but this has been in my stash of "to blog about" products for a silly amount of time now, if the "most unorganised blogger award" existed I would 100% win, so here are my thoughts on this micellar water. 

Before Bioderma launched in the UK it could only be purchased online via eBay or by hopping on the Eurostar for a trip to Paris & whilst it still isn't that easy to locate in the UK if you're lucky enough to live in or visit London there are now a few pharmacies that stock it. I actually waited until it was available in the UK & bought it from John Bell & Croyden which is just off Oxford St but there are various other pharmacies that stock it too, apparently! You can also order it online from Escentual here without having to pay international shipping fees. 

Bioderma looks and feels exactly like water, yet has the ability to remove all traces of makeup & yes that even means stubborn eye makeup like mascara! I soak a cotton pad with the solution, then sweep it all over my face which results in cleansed skin. I hold another cotton pad over each eye for a couple of seconds to loosen any eye makeup before wiping it all away. I always remove my makeup with either face wipes or a micellar water before thoroughly cleansing my face with another cleanser & Bioderma makes all traces of makeup melt away like magic, it's so quick & easy. A downside to this product is the price, at £10 for a 250ml bottle of what looks like water my boyfriend certainly thought I was kinda crazy. I seem to go through the stuff pretty quickly, as I often spill some when pouring it out, perhaps I should invest in these to reduce that problem! I currently use Bioderma for removing eye makeup & use a cheaper alternative, L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Micellar Solution (blog post to follow soon!) for the rest of my face.

Is Bioderma part of your skincare routine?

L x

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soap & glory smoothie star deep moisture body milk

Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Body Milk - £10

Smoothie Star has got to be my favourite from the Best of All gift set I received at Christmas. It's probably the scent that completely wins me over, as I'm a true lover of anything cocoa buttery! Although it is a sweet smelling moisturiser I don't find it overpowering or too sickly.  The body milk is filled with almond, cocoa, yogurt, oat & honey, all good stuff for your skin, especially the oats & honey. It features the waterlock moisture trapping matrix allowing me to keep my skin hydrated and soft. I use this everyday after a shower as it's quick to apply due to its light formula meaning it doesn't take ages to soak in, but my skin is still left feeling dewy. I think this is the perfect lazy girl moisturiser, a few pumps slathered all over and you're ready to go, so much easier than faffing around with a thick body butter! 

Have you tried Smoothie Star body milk?

L x

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LUSH popcorn lip scrub

LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub - (£5.25, it's currently half price though!)

I was surprised to find this in my stocking on Christmas day as I didn't think I'd mentioned to Dom that I'd really like this, but he picked it up for me anyway! I suffer from really chapped lips, so this product is literally a godsend for me. I gently scrub it on until most of it disappears, which removes the dry skin, gives my lips a healthier colour & leaves them feeling soft. I personally think the scrub smells better than it tastes, as it is quite buttery & also a little salty, although don't get me wrong, I still think it's absolutely delicious! I always use this before I apply lipstick to improve the appearance of my lips & to make application a bit easier. The packaging is lovely, a cute little glass jar which can be put in your handbag if your lips are in need of some extra care!

Have you tried a LUSH lip scrub? What is your favourite flavour?

L x

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lush skincare review | oatifix face mask

When I was in Manchester last week I popped into the Lush store with my friend Abi, as I wanted to purchase a few things. I asked one of the assistants, (who was amazing, seriously the nicest lady I've ever met, she was so so helpful) if she could point me in the right direction of skincare for dry skin. She sat me down and brought over a lot of different products, which she allowed me to test. Firstly she cleansed my skin with Ultrabland, then applied two different masks on each hand. One was the BB Seaweed, the other being Oatifix. After washing off the masks with warm water she showed me Celestial and Skin Drink, then applied these too. There was so many products she introduced me to, a few others were a toner water & a massage bar, but I really can't remember which ones, I have them written down somewhere though! No word of a lie my skin was SO smooth after the treatment, it was awesome! When my boyfriend picked me up about 4 or 5 hours later my skin still felt amazing, I couldn't believe it. 

In the end I purchased the oatifix mask, as I couldn't resist the smell, which is made up of bananas, oatmeal and vanilla, plus the hand she had applied it to felt like it was slightly smoother and more refreshed. I also bought the Whoosh Shower Jelly, as a treat for my boyfriend and this is also AMAZING! Sorry I keep using the word amazing, but I really am amazed by all these products! 

I have used oatifix today and I am really pleased with the results. I have dry patches on my forehead, chin and my nose sometimes, I do feel like my skin is so dehydrated, even though I try to drink as much water as possible and I always moisturise! So far my skin feels fresh and appears to be brighter. I am going to use this again in a couple of days to keep up the fresh feeling it has given me! I expected it to apply a little easier than it did do, but it wasn't frustrating or anything, I just warmed it up in my hands a little and smoothed it on quite thickly. 

The lady who served me also gave me a free sample of the Ultrabland cleanser as she couldn't stop raving about it, she says it had changed her life! I have used this a couple of times, whilst it does the job perfectly at removing all my makeup it does leave my skin feeling very greasy. I have been told the 9 to 5 Cleansing Milk is really good, so I might try that next time. I've also made a mental note to add Skin Drink to my Christmas list as I couldn't justify spending almost £12 whilst I was in Manchester on my shopping trip, I'd already spent a fortune in Primark!

Have you tried any Lush products? What are your favourites?

L x

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