TWO BUDGET CLEANSERS

Being a teenager, I have a lower budget than most of the beauty bloggers out there, so the majority of the products in my collection are budget based (and I don't think there is anything wrong with that personally), because there are so many gems in high street/drugstore, and by the looks of it, that's no different for when it comes to cleansers.

The first of the duo is one I have mentioned a few times now, and as I had a new bottle sitting in my drawer (my third bottle of the stuff) I feel like it deserves to be in this post. The Superdrug Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser is a thick, cream/hot cloth cleanser which does a good job at removing makeup in the first cleanse, or fully cleansing as the second cleanse. I also really like this one in the morning, and it doesn't leave any kind of a tight feeling on the skin.

A recent discovery for me is the No7 Melting Cleansing Gel which I got when I had the ever so famous £5 off voucher. Don't be fooled, this is called a gel, and at first it is a balm-like gel. Once you start massaging it into your face though, as it warms up it turns into an oil texture, and then upon rinsing, washes off more like a milk. I prefer this for the second cleanse, and although it does remove the majority of makeup, I had a little eye-stinging action with this when trying to get of the remains of my waterproof mascara - so keep that in mind.

If you know of any budget oil-cleansers out there, do let me know as that is what's next on my skincare wishlist.

NEW SKINCARE ADDITIONS

I think it's safe to say that I have an addiction to buying new skincare products. The amount of cleaners I have is unhealthy, and my eye cream collection is overflowing, but I always see myself buying more, and trialling more. Some have been good, some have made my skin go absolutely cray, but these are the products I have recently added to my stash. 

As the weather is warming up I decided it would be wise to incorporate a facial SPF into my routine. I have the Proactiv Daily Protection Plus Sunscreen SPF30* which I have only tried once but it isn't too bad. I feel like it could sink in a little better, but other than that it worked well under my makeup, so we'll see how it goes. 

A few days back I popped into Boots with my No7 voucher in hand, and I came out with the Melting Cleansing Gel. Don't be fooled by 'gel' - this is more like a balmy texture which once you massage it into the skin transforms into an oil, and rinses off as a milk. On first impressions, I really like this. 

As you know, I have troubled skin. I got the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ from Escentual in the hope that it would clear up some of the problems, as the original formula did good for me. After using this for a few days I have already noticed that my skin is looking clearer, so I am hoping it'll keep working further. 

If you are a regular reader, you will know that I got these two products in my 'Post-Spending Ban Buys' post. They belong to the Boots Botanics All Bright range, and they are the Night Cream and the Cleansing Toner. I think these work towards that whole 'chemical exfoliant' thang, and so I have been using these almost every night I think. 

What has your skincare routine included recently?

CURRENT BEAUTY CRAVINGS #1

Bourjois Happy Light Foundation // Revlon Matte Balms // Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water // Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Paint // Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder // Bourjois Bronzing Primer // No7 Pop & Glow Cream Blush // Maybelline Brow Drama // The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer // Nuxe Reve de Miel // Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer // MUA Luxe Lip Laquer //

Since I have been on my rather lengthy spending ban (only a week and a half left now), I have been going crazy over all sorts of products, new releases, and even the things that have been around for a while, but I just cannot wait to get my beauty fix once my spending ban is over - watch out Boots. It's time to share what I have been lusting after recently...

There's a few things complexion wise that I have been craving recently, one of them being the Bourjois Happy Light Foundation. I recently rediscovered my Healthy Mix Serum and it makes me want to try this one even more. Another is the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer, one which Megan keeps egging me on to buy, and I think at some point I will have to give in and purchase it. This No7 Pop & Glow Cream Blush jumped out to me on the Boots website, as it just seemed like a really quick product to swipe on your cheeks for a bit of colour.
The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer is the priduct that everyone keeps talking about at the moment, and it just looks so glowy even through the stock pictures that I want to reach out and touch it. Another glow-getter is the ever so hyped Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder - I just feel like I want something a little more from my powder and this looks like it would give that. Finally on the complexion front is the Bourjois Bronzing Primer, and I don't know what it is, but something really intrigues me about this one.

Onto eyes, and I only have a few current cravings in that category. The first is the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, another product everyone is raving about at the moment. I have Lily Pebbles to blame for this one, as she is constantly hyping the Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Paint in Rich Russet, and it just looks like such a no fuss eye look. Lastly, the Maybelline Brow Drama has been on my wishlist for some time now, and for someone who has never tried a tinted brow gel/mascara, I am even more intrigued.

For lips, I'm sure you all saw the Revlon Matte Balms coming into this wishlist. In particular I am really interested in Audacious and Elusive, as I am getting into brighter colours. The Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm is one of those products that I have been wanting to try for ages, but never got round to doing so. Maybe one of the boldest lip products I have ever wanted to try is the MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer in the colour Kooky in particular which is a purple. Yep, you read that right. I don't know why I want this, or when I would wear it but I always go into Superdrug hoping it's there.

Lets hope some of these cravings go away before my spending ban is over, otherwise we could be in for a rather large spend up...

WHAT I GOT FOR CHRISTMAS 2013 | BEAUTY

Cliche blogger introductory paragraph, but I'll put it short and sweet. I'm NOT bragging, and am extremely grateful for absolutely everything you see here (I also got other non-beauty bits too, but they aren't being featured here, and some of the things didn't get into this photo haha).

So, first with the bath and body items. I got the Soap and Glory Relaxstation set, which basically, I have just been smelling for the past 3 days, and I may be a little addicted. From my little sister, I got the Body Shop Vineyard Peach Body Butter which is the thickest, most nourishing body butter you ever did see, and it literally smells like someone crushed up a peach and put it in this pot - love. On the same front I got the Burt's Bees Essential Kit which contains a cleanser, hand salve, body lotion, foot cream and a lip balm (which I was most excited about).

Onto makeup. So, I was lucky enough to receive MAC Woodwinked, coming in at my first every MAC eye shadow, and the colour is just simply be-a-utiful, a golden, bronzey colour which just pairs nicely with my brown eyes - yay! I got the Smashbox It's Your Prime Set which contains 3 primers; the famous Photofinish Foundation Primer, the new Hydrating Undereye Primer and also the Photofinish Lid Primer all of which at first impressions are great.
 I also got the Real Techniques Stippling Brush which I have wanted for ages for light foundation application and cream brush, and I am loving it. The Soap and Glory Girl-O-Whirl was a total surprise to me, which my mum had picked out when it was on the star offer in Boots (you chose very well mum!), and it has an array of products in it which I have been lusting after for ages now. I also got 2 No7 sets, one of which being the one with 2 brushes, and 3 shadows which you saw in my wishlist post, and another with a compact mirror and case, in it, both being from my Nan and Granddad. 

The Origins Mask Marvels Set turned up under the tree, so I am excited to trail (and review of course) 3 fabulous masks from Origins , 2 of which have gained a cult-status in the beauty world.

Finally onto fragrances. I got the Body Shop White Musk Smokey Rose Fragrance Mist which is a lovely, slightly lighter version of the original EDP, but still smells just as good as it. I also got this adorable set of 4 of the Ted Baker Women scents in a set called Heaven Scent which are so feminine, but not too overpowering, and the packaging on top of that receives an A* from me. 

So those were the majority of the beauty based gifts that I got this year, and I can assure you, the money I received was well spent buying more beauty (and some fashion) bargains in the Boxing Day sales... oops. 

 

THE BEAUTY CHRISTMAS WISHLIST

Possible a little blogger cliche, today is the day in which I share some of the beauty picks on my Christmas Wishlist this year. Although, there are a few other bits on the list, and I would never expect to receive everything I asked for, but these are some which I thought I could share with you as the possibilities that I could be lucky enough to see under my tree.

Skin & Body 

Being a slight bit of an Origins fangirl I thought Christmas would be the prime time to get started with the brand. The face masks had always intrigued me, and so this Origins Mask Marvels Set was written straight on my Christmas list. You get 3 75ml face masks (the Drink Up Intensive 10 minute mask, Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask and Clear Improvement Mask) for £25. The value for money is what got me, with the 50ml masks being £11 individually anyway.

Another body set is the Soap and Glory Relaxstation Set which has again, an amazing value for money. This one comes in a £20, with a few full sizes, a few minis, a hair turban towel, and also a 'loofah' if that is what they are called? I must say also Clean on Me shower gel is a firm favourite of mine so a full size shall be well loved.

I guess this links into skin, which is MAC Fix+. I recenty watched a video where ViviannaDoesMakeup talked about stippling this on with a brush to take away any powder-cakeyness, and it drew me in right away.

Makeup

The Smashbox It's Your Prime Set has been catching my eye for a few months now. The thought of an under-eye primer makes me very excited, and I am an eyeshadow base junkie so that'll be used a lot. And then to top it all off you get the Photofinish Primer which has gained a bit of a cult-status by quite a few bloggers this year.

This Benefit Hot 2 Trot Set looks pretty darn good. You get a full size Bella Bamba box blush, alongside what I would call a deluxe mini of the Cha Cha Tint stain for lips and cheeks. Rolling in at the price of the blush alone, this isn't all that bad of a deal.

Finally for makeup we have the No7 The Eye Collection which in all honesty, I purely wanted for the Eye Blend and Contour Brush, but for less than double the price of the brush you get 3 shadows and a pencil smudgy brush in there as well, which is totally bargainous. 

Fragrance

Whenever I walk past The Body Shop all that pops into my mind is the thought of the White Musk Smoky Rose Fragrance which smells incredible. I cannot explain scents, so I won't try, but if this was to be under my tree I would be very, very happy. 


As I said, I am grateful for anything I receive as gifts from anyone, and the same goes for this year. 

What's on your wishlist?

 

 

WHAT'S ON MY SKINCARE SHELF?

After watching tons of videos, reading blog posts and buying new things, I have finally found a good skincare collection/routine which works for my skin, and it is time to give you a tour of my most-used products, gaining a place on the shelf. 

Removers: I would never go a day (or night), without removing my makeup. The first of my favourites in the Nivea Daily Essentials Eye Makeup Remover, which I did a full review of here. This is my number one high street eye makeup remover, and you get get waterproof mascara off your lashes in a matter of one sweep. Then, for face makeup, is the L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution, which is a really nice, high street (apparent Bioderma dupe) makeup remover, without going anywhere near the wipes. 

Cleansers: After realising foaming cleansers were one of the worst things I could be using (although I have one lingering in the bathroom which I need to finish), I have 3 main creamy cleansers which I use. The first is the No.7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Balm, which is a cream more than a balm. It claims to be for dry skin, but mine is combination and I haven't had any issues. The other I have is the Spa Find Renewed Radiance Energizing Cleanser* which is a huge bottle, and the cleanser itself is really lovely, and it also removes waterproof mascara, but it stings the eyes so I use this after removing makeup. I also have a Ren Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk Mini there, which is nice too. 

Masks: I love the Una Brennan Tea Flower Pore Purifying Clay Mask, as you already know, and it works wonders for any blemished skin I may have, and instead of rambling, click here to read the full review. Another I have is the A'Kin Express Purifying Facial Masque* which I find also works really well for my blemishes. I use a mask twice a week, so I alternate between the two of these, one on Sunday, the other on Wednesday. I must say, I love the packaging of the A'kin one, and although the bottle is small, you don't need much. 

Treatments: Almost halfway through the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, this is something I probably can't live without anymore. I do notice difference, and I love how it can be used in many different ways; by itself, on problem areas, or all over the face under (or over) moisturiser. You can read my full review here. Then, I have the Spa Find Perfect Purity Dermabalance Spot Treatment*, which is incredible. It is what I describe as liquid clay in a bottle, and you take some on a cotton bud, and put it directly onto the blemish, and feel it tingle for a while, and then, go to bed and in the morning it will have improved the area dramatically, I swear by this nowadays.

Moisturiser: So, to start off with, I have the Dr Jart+ Most Moist Water Sure Gel which I use daily underneath my moisturiser, as it is basically Hydraluron in a little tub, designed to lock in the moisture from whatever day cream you put on top. It is incredible, and I may whimper at the price when this runs out (£26.00, but I found it in a clearance at £6.50...).
After that, we have the Lancome HydraZen Neurocalm Moisturiser which I love, but when this mini sample runs out, I will not be repurchasing, which is a shame, as it really soothes the skin overnight if you have any blemishes or redness, especially after using a mask. I also have the Ren Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream which apparently protects you from pollution, which is strangely cool?

Eye Creams and Gels: For a daytime eye gel, I use the Ren Vita Mineral Active 7 Eye Gel, which is a really cooling eye gel which absorbs quickly to the under eye area, which is why I like using it in the mornings. For night time, I prefer a more creamy, hydrating offering, and in this case it is the Fade Out White Anti-Shadow Brightening Eye Cream* which is also really nice. It offers hydration whilst still fading darkness and puffiness a tiny bit overnight (trust me, my bags are genetic and they ain't going anywhere).

I am really pleased with my current skincare, and that is something I am prepared to spend a little more on, I'd say, higher end of the drugstore stuff, because as the skincare goddess Caroline Hirons says 'You only have one face, so why mess with it'...