Summer empties...

It appears I have a favourite deodorant….Also loved how long the Soap & Glory Foam Call shower gel lasted and it smelt delicious. I'm fairly fickle with body products though, and I can't say I've repurchased any of these...

Elvive Fibreology shampoo is my all time favourite I'm well into my second bottle of this stuff and I'll 100% keep using this for the foreseeable future. Also loving the Batiste XXL dry shampoo…forever a staple in my hair routine. I didn't love the Philip Kingsley Elasticiser as much as I expected to - it's one of those cult blogger products I just couldn't get into. Another re-purchase has been the V05 dry backcomb spray - it's the perfect texture and not sticky at all, an absolute livesaver in my freshly washed hair. 

The Garnier Micellar water is an empty from my professional makeup kit…I get through this SO quickly its ridiculous but it is a perfect dupe for Bioderma. The only two products I've not repurchased were the Nivea eye cream (an eye cream is an eye cream and I've since found cheaper alternatives) and the Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser. This was nice but a bit heavy for my oily skin. 

The second my Seche Vite top coat ran out, I could have cried. Don't fear though, I've got back ups of this as it's probably one of my top five holy grail products of all time. The Elf brush shampoo and Scandaleyes mascara were definite no-loves. My top tip of the day is STAY AWAY from this mascara, awful awful awful. 

What has everyone else used up over the summer months?

Loves

xxx

March Favourites...

So with me being in London studying at the beauty and makeup academy, I've barely worn makeup and it's been such a chaotic few weeks living out of a suitcase! Which leaves my favourites a bit sparse this month but here we go anyway…

The hype around the L'Oreal Elvive Fibreology shampoo and conditioners is extremely well deserved. I am lucky enough to have naturally very thick hair to start with but this just makes my natural curls so thick and full which means much less time wielding a pair of straighteners. In my attempt to find a more readily available Bioderma alternative I have really started to love the Garnier Micellar water, and I've even decanted it into a smaller bottle for my kit to use on clients! Putting makeup on, taking it off, putting it on again, and then taking it off. While I was at the academy we were practicing on each other and my skin really suffered, so I turned to the duo of the St Ives apricot scrub followed by a long standing favourite, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, only this time it's the new improved '+' version. I don't know what's changed exactly, but it still works just the same so thats fine by me!

My base has been all about Nars this month, and on the rare occasion I've done my own makeup I've gone for the classic Nars Sheer Glow and Nars Creamy concealer paring which I have reviews on here and here. Another well hyped product has been the L'Oreal Miss Manga mascara which I wasn't expecting to love quite as much as I do…it's super thickening and makes my lashes look so black and full! My Nan bought me the Body Shop Illuminator in pink when I got back from Australia and it's such a perfect pinky shade as a blush or on the tops of the cheekbones for a glow in the evenings. 

Finally my favourite lip offering this month is my newest addition to my ever growing lipstick collection - Mac Pure Zen. It's a peachy nude shade and perfect for the sunny weather we've been having these past few weeks!

What's everyone been loving this month?

Loves

xxx

Mini Skincare Haul...

I stumbled on the Priceline two day 40% off skincare offer by chance last week and, lets face it, who was I to resist??

Biore warming anti-blackhead cleanser - I was about ready for a new cleanser of the 'face wash' variety, as I'm not a huge fan of cream cleansers that you take off with cotton wool - I never feel completely clean!  This one is oil free (perfect) and complexion clearing (even better as I've had a few pesky spots crop up recently). $12.99 before offer, $7.79 after offer. 

Sukin hydrating mist toner - I was missing a toner from my routine since I came back to Australia and hadn't really noticed much of a difference in my skin, but I do love something refreshing to spritz on after cleansing or throughout the day to freshen up so this was perfect....all natural too! $9.99 before offer, $6 after offer. 

Skin Doctors No More Pores night treatment - This was the random splurge of the day, I was in no way in need of another night cream of any sort but anything that claims to calm down my pores and remove excess oil is a winner in my books. $29.99 before offer, $17.99 after offer. 

Hydraluron Moisture Booster - I'd ran out of my serum last week and had heard every blogger and her mother raving about this so after a lot of careful research and consideration decided I would splash out and get it. Finding out it was 40% off made my heart do a little skip of joy. $34.99 before offer, $20.99 after offer. 

I can't wait to try some of these out and I'll let you know how I found them!

Loves

xxx

Beauty boxes...my first experience with BellaBox...

Back home I admit I was a big fan of the beauty box craze that went on, and I felt I was missing out a bit being out of the loop over here in Australia. I did my research and decided to subscribe to bellabox http://bellabox.com.au/. It's $15 per month and I'm only subscribing for 3 months, before I go home to the UK. This month was the February 'shimmer and shine for Valentine time' box. Sounds promising!

First up: packaging. Basically it's cute, but the colour doesn't interest me at all. I'm much more a pink, glossy, girlie fan when it comes to these boxes and this just didn't do it for me at all.

 

Inside, same kind of story, just a bit of love heart tissue paper, and the little card with all the products on, neither of which 't really fit in with the theme at all. Sorry bellabox, just not feeling you so far.

 

Inside, it got a little bit better...

  

What bellabox say: Batiste Dry Shampoo- Must Have! Our bb favourite Batiste is back  in their new pretty in pink packaging- we guarantee it'll be the new love of your life next time you need fresh locks fast!

Back in the UK there was some controversy when a mini Batiste dry shampoo appeared in one of the monthly subscription box. My opinion? When this stuff is SO expensive on the other side of the world, I'd class it as a luxury product! So far, so good. 

 

What bellabox says:U skin solutions clean and go exfoliating gel cleanser - super skin care. This two in one cleansing and exfoliating solution is perfect for keeping pores clear and clean. Caldendula, anti bacterial tea tree oil and super fine bamboo beads leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.

Forever on the look out for the magical perfect cleanser, andything that may be taking me one step closer to it is a winner for me. Tiny downside is that the product sample is, literally, tiny. 

Bioderma crealine H2O - cult! This cult cleansing water removes every trace of makeup (even waterproof mascara) as well as the impurities in your skin at a cellular level. Plus, it's safe on eyes. Wonder product alert!

There are no words to describe how much I have wanted to try this, it's provably the product in the box I was most excited about. I'm just a little bit worried that it's going to make me want to buy the whole thing, I don't think my purse can handle it!

 

Sally Hanson complete salon manicure - colour product. No time for a salon mani? No stress! Achieve the at-home trifecta: a gel-like shine finish, fast and easy application and chip resistant. 

Mine came in Mermaids Tail, a gorgeous blue polish with green and blue chunks of glitter. It's at least a three coater but so far it's lasted two days chip free - unheard of on my terrible nails!

 

Be in awe skin Samskrta skin polish - Luxe. Designed to remove dead skin cells and leave skin looking (and feeling!) soft and radiant, this polish combines cranberry extract, gluconic acid, vitamin B3 and co-enzyme Q10 with micro jojoba beads. Hello vibrant shimmering skin.

Again, anything that can help me on the path to the perfect complexion is a winner due to the fact I'm to stingy to buy full size products in the fear that they won't work and I'll have wasted money. 

Bonus product was a sachet of sun screen, always a good shout in the Australian sunshine!

In my honest opinion, too much skin care and not enough makeup. The packagine does put me off but I guess it's what on the inside that counts! Can't wait to get next months box and see what's in there (fingers crossed more makeup....)

Loves

xxx