Products I've used up - Summer Edition

I love looking at other people's products they've used up as you get to see what they love, what was okay, and what they probably would't buy again, which is often really useful. So I thought it was about time I gave it a try, and it's actually given my the chance to evaluate what I thought about each product and if I thought it was worth it, or could I find something better. It has also been a good guide to see what I've loved through the summer months, as a quick round up. Hopefully I can give you a little bit of guidance to something you fancied trying!

Haircare

Aussie miracle moist shampoo - For hair that is dry, dull and damaged as the packaging says this is great. It leaves my hair feeling clean and soft after I have used this product, and I don't seem to complain afterwards. 

VO5 high volume hairspray - My favourite affordable hair spray. It has an excellent hold but at the same time doesn't feel like my hair is full of product and most importantly doesn't look solid in my hair. It says that it is weather resistant too which is a bonus!

Batiste dry shampoo in tropical - my go to dry shampoo. I like the fragrance and if you properly shake the can up first you get minimal white residue in your hair.

Charles Worthington volume & bounce body boost mousse - This isn't my favourite hair mousse as it leave my hair feeling full of product and almost unclean straight after I have washed it. It was okay, but not my favourite.

Argan Oil of Morocco conditioner - a lovely conditioner. My hair felt soft and nourished afterwards. 

Skincare (The biggest chunk!!)

L'oreal absolute eye and lip make-up remover - my favourite eye makeup remover. I always have to have a biphase oil based remover, as basic removers don't seem to get my eye makeup off properly, even with non waterproof mascaras. This pretty much gets everything off, and is reasonably priced.

Origins clean energy gentle cleasing oil - second bottle but I haven't been as religious as I was with my first bottle. It is a lovely product but I just don't seem to have a place for it in my skincare routine as I am using micellar water to remover my makeup currently.

Origins night-a-mins night cream - A lovely night cream. Rich, smells amazing as do all Origins prosucts. Really sinks into my skin, already repurchased.

Pixi glow tonic - This was a product that I completely gave into the hype with. It is an exfoliating tonic, you apply with a cotton pad, to chemically exfoliate your skin. It isn't as harsh as it sounds, but it does replace a physical exfoliate in your skincare routine. I like the product, you could almost feel it work as it tingled on my skin, but I never noticed a dramatic difference in my skins appearance. I'm going to try the first aid beauty ones and compare. I also love that you can now buy it on ASOS (currently sold out)!

Hydraluron moisture jelly - this is my second pot of this cream, I love it. I was really sceptical at first as it is a gel, but it really works. If I have visable dry or dehydrated patches on my face, a couple of uses later it has dissappeared, an excellent product.

Garnier micellar cleansing water - an excellent product to remove make-up with. It gets everything off before I cleanse my skin without being too fussy. I'm probably on my 5th bottle!

Origins Drink up intensive overnight mask - I love the smell of this product, to me this is gorgeous. I don't know how to describe it but just smells tropical and summery, which probably helps me love it even more. It is a great skin pick me up for when your skin just looks a little bit sorry for itself or you need a good nights sleep. Stick this on, go to sleep, enjoy the smell and wake up with brighter and plumper looking skin.

The Body shop vitamin C microdermabrasion - a nice exfoliator, it can be a little harsh on my skin sometimes as the formula is almost like sand. But it definitely leaves my skin feeling a lot smoother. so it definitely does the job.

Body & Nails

Elegant touch rapid dry for nails - spray over the top of your wet nail varnish and sets them touch dry in a few seconds. Great for when you are in a hurry

Botanics conditioning body lotion - quick absorbing formula, good for putting skinny jeans on after moisturising!

Vaseline spray and go body moisturiser in cocoa - non greasy formula, again great for when you need to put skinny jeans on straight after! Not necessarily sure how hydrating it is!

Soap & Glory the righteous butter - smells amazing and feels really nourishing. Definitely once of my favourite body butters

Holiday Skincare Saviours

Holiday skin care can sometimes be an absolute nightmare, especially when having to battle a hot, humid country, possible sun damage, chlorine and salt water and the blocking of pores from high factor face SPF's. What a great combination!

This year I really wanted to make sure I took something really hydrating but also lightweight, that wouldn't start to slip off my face and let my make-up glide over on an evening. I didn't want to take anything brand new in case I had a reaction, as my skin can sometimes react to certain foods I eat and occasionally products I apply, just as a precaution.

The Garnier Miscellar cleansing water is already my current go to make-up remover, so the little travel size is perfect. It takes my make-up off with minimum effort, and leaves no greasy film on my skin. I also took my current cleanser, Origins Checks and balances frothy face wash that I received as a free sample as a gift with purchase. It leaves my skin feeling content, not tight or greasy as it is designed to balance out any problems I may have got, which worked great on holiday after having a heavy SPF on the skin at the same time being dry from the sun.

In the past I've used the Indeed labs Hydraluron range on my skin and had great results from in the past. It was a combination of the lightweight gel like products combined with the high levels of hydration it can give the skin that just screamed holiday skincare products to me. The combination of the serum and the moisturiser gave my skin all the hydration it needed after spending a lot of time in the sun and sea throughout the day. Honestly both products are amazing for holiday skincare. 

I also took the Clinique all about eyes rich, as it was in handy sample size to take away. Its not something I had really tried before but it seemed to do a great job, so I think I'll keep on giving it a go!

Overall, I was extremely pleased with my skincare routine and loved not having to deal with problematic skin on my return, absolute bonus! Honestly, if your skin is problematic to begin with and you want it to try and maintain your 'good' skin on holiday then these products are totally worth a try.

Origins original skin renewal serum

Origins is one of my favourite skincare brand, as it seems to suit my skin type and texture as my skin is quite sensitive. I've added the Origins original skin renewal serum into my daily skincare routine, AM and PM, but especially in the morning.

I really like the fact that this is a serum aimed at twenty-something skin, and not age-defying or spot targeting, like many skincare products tend to be. It can be used both in the morning and evening to help de-stress skin, smooth out roughness, delete dullness and minimise pores.

I've used this product for over a month now, and I'd say I'm about half way through the bottle. The product is very light in texture and has an almost gel like consistency. You can't really feel it on the skin as it sinks in in seconds, so it works provides an excellent base for make-up. 

It leaves my skin feeling smooth, hydrated and gives an added boost of radiance. I'm really liking the results it is giving me, so fingers crossed it keeps up to the good work.

The packaging is slim and not bulky, unlike a lot of other skincare products on the market. One pump dispenses the perfect amount to cover my entire face with none to spare.

It doesn't come that cheap at £32 for 30ml, but if it is providing my skin with a healthy glow and keeps my skin as clear as possible I'm all for it.

3 step Sunday pamper skincare cheat

So after a day climbing the Yorkshire 3 peaks, which is harder than I anticipated, I thought today was deservedly a home pamper day. My legs seem to be aching more than I can imagine and walking up and down stairs in an almost impossible task in my current state of achy-ness, but don't let me put you off I had a brilliant day!

So after a long bath with a more than suggested amount of muscle soak bubble bath in my skin, and my hair rid of the smell of the great outdoors I needed my skin to feel just as clean. And I think I've just found my go to quick Sunday pamper cheat for my skin, it feels so clean, hydrated and ready to face a new week with three products.

Step 1, the Origins Modern friction dermabrasion. I only use physical exfoliants in my skincare routine about once a week and a gentle chemical exfoliant throughout the rest of the week. I wanted to make sure all traced from yesterday, including sweat, sun cream and little nature bits were off my skin and mentally a exfoliant seemed to be the only thing to do the job. This one has more of a creamy consistency than other shall we say sand like products, so it doesn't feel harsh on my face. I massage it into dry skin first and then add a little bit of water to make it a creamy consistency to cleanse my face, and then remove using a face cloth. It is one of those products that feels like it has done some good and got all the gunk off. It is a little pricey, but it lasts ages and does wonders to my skin.

Next I use the Una Brennan pore purifying clay mask. A little goes a long way with this, so I put a thin layer across in face, avoiding the obvious eye area and watch it do its magic. I like that, as gross as it may sound, you can see where 'things' have come out of your pores, which with this you definitely can do. It also only takes 5 mins in comparison to my other masks which work in 10-15 minutes. Plus, it's cheaper than other high end clay face masks and I feel that it works just as well, if not better. A win win in my eyes.

Finally, Estee Lauder advanced night repair. It is day time but I don't plan on even leaving the house today so this can work its magic. This is one of those Items that I don't use everyday but when my skin is sensitive, needs a bit of hydration and calming down, this product does the job perfectly. I have been a little bit more generous today, but I walked 24 miles up three mountains yesterday, I deserve a treat.

4 hours later my skin already feels so much better off, but when I wake up in the morning it should feel oh so clean and refreshed to start the week again!

Spring skincare haul

The weather in the UK has finally started to resemble spring, it literally jumped 10°C overnight, but I'm not complaining in the slightest. So with that in mind I thought it was time to update my skincare routine for the warmer weather. I've actually really enjoyed my skincare routine over the past couple of months, using both the cleanser and moisturiser by First Aid Beauty, but I think it's time for a little change.

As much as I like to try new things, I am slightly a creature of habit and headed towards the Origins counter in Boots. In the back of my head I was thinking they suit your skin type, get the basics and then you can experiment!

I've tried quite a few Origins products over the past few years, and loved the majority of them. The Origins High Potency Night-a-mins nigh cream is my go to evening moisturiser. It feels thick when you're first applying the product to face but sinks in really fast, which I love in a moisturiser and the smell is absolutely gorgeous! My skin type as normal with occasional dry patches and a little oily in the summer months, but nothing over complex, so this product pretty much works for me all year round which is fab. 

The GinZing range is new to me, I remember the launch of the Energy-Boosting Moisturiser but never got round to trying it, so now is my chance! It has a light-weight gel like consistency, which when I tried it on my hand I really liked. Personally I think it would be too light for me during the winter, but hopefully it's great for the warmer months. It doesn't have any of the anti-aging properties or SPF in so that does drop the price to £23, but that isn't really an issue for me. I'm hoping this gives a nice little glow booster with just the right amount of moisture. They also gave me a little free sample of the GinZing eye cream which they are known for, so I can't wait to try that too.

I've noticed a lot of people talking about the new Original Skin Renewal Serum with willowherb, which is meant to counteract dullness, de-stress the skin and smooth the skins texture. I was actually attracted to this as it is aimed at people in their twenties, which is quite a rarity in skincare products! When I tested the product it had a very lightweight gel-like consistency to it, just like the GinZing moisturiser, which hopefully will be great for the summer months as I still need to moisture but I don't want to look like I am covered in cream. I also hope that this sits well under make-up, but I'll get back to you on this. 

As I spent way over £45, I also got a full-sized Checks and Balances frothy face wash as a free gift with purchase which is great and the lovely lady at the counter chucked in a mini Modern Friction Scrub little sample which is great as I already love this.

Fingers crossed I like all my new purchases!

Origins Mask Marvel Gift Set

I'm a real fan of most things from Origins, so this gift set was a gem of a find. But instead forking out £50 which is a little on the expensive side, it's £23 at Boots this week which is an absolute steal in my eyes. It works out at three 75ml masks for £23, so that's what, £7.66 each. There was no way I wasn't getting my hands on this little skincare trio!

So there's the Drink up Intensive overnight mask, Clear improvement active charcoal mask and finally Out of trouble 10 minute mask. 

I received the Drink up Intensive overnight mask over two years ago as a free gift with my first ever Origins product. The sales assistant described the mask as a 'handover miracle', which I though was a tad of an exaggeration, but it genuinely is a gem of a find! It gives you a plumped up, glowing skin with literally no effort at all. Also, It smells incredible, a mixture of mango and passionfruit which reminds me of summer,

The clay mask is lovely, its a thick consistency compared to others on the market, and it's one of those products that you feel as though it's working whilst its on your face. I've never tried the 10 minute mask but i already love the other two masks in the pack, so i already have high hopes for this one! Over the festive season I think my skin may need a little TLC so this is perfect. 

The mask marvel set is only on offer for one week at Boots stores, so hurry! I'm sure this set wasn't as pricey last year though, so get it quick!

Review: Origins Drink-up intensive overnight mask

It’s such hyped beauty product at the moment, but I’m loving the Origins Drink-up intensive overnight mask. I’ve had a few sample sizes of this in the past but never thought to use them, which is ridiculous. I do like Origins products so had high hopes about this and I wasn’t disappointed!

The thing I first noticed was the smell, and oh my, I absolutely love it! It is clean, fruity and reminds me of the peach yoghurts I loved as child. I’ve never used a hydrating mask like this before, but it is basically an intense moisturiser you apply before bed, which helps replace lost moisture and lock in hydration to the skin. And in the morning you wake to hydrated skin which has been ‘drank up overnight’, just like it says on the bottle!

It’s a thick cream gel like consistency which you literally apply after you’ve cleansed your face. It doesn’t feel heavy or thick on the skin, but actually rather refreshing, which I think is half down to the amazing smell. It is designed for dry or dehydrated skin, and although my skin isn’t necessarily dry, I do have eczema like patches on my skin in the winter. I was cautious about applying this all over my face in case it made my face appear greasy, but fear not, I couldn’t have been more impressed.

I use it a couple of times a week, when I want to give my skin a bit of a treat, and I really do wake up in the morning and feel and see the difference to my skin. My skin feels plumper and the texture is smoother. I think that it is fair to say that this will be a staple in my skincare routine for a long time, as I’ve not found a product like it yet.

It costs £22 for a 100ml tube, which I don’t think is badly priced for a product that is effective and lasts a long time. I’ve used a 30ml tube in two months, and I’ve not tried to use the product sparingly. Has anyone else tried it or found another hydrating mask they love?

Overall review: 4/5

Christmas shopping list!

I've had the most ridiculous few weeks with Uni deadlines, to the point we’re I've had no life at all! Thankfully I haven’t got any deadlines for a few weeks and could celebrate my best friends 21^st birthday as Sporty Spice!

 

I’ve only just realised how close Christmas is! The Christmas lights have been turned on everywhere, the trees are almost up and I just LOVE Christmas!

So I started to think about things I’d love to give and receive this Christmas!

1.       The Naked 3 palette by Urban Decay. My sister would absolutely love this as well as myself! She keeps hinting and hinting that she’d love a Naked Palette so get her the new one would be great.

Naked 2 Palette (3 is yet to go on sale!)

2.       Origins skincare boxed presents are all brilliant and definitely have a big reduction compared to the full price single items. Origins is my current skincare brand, which I’ve been loving for the past year and feel high end!

Morning to Midnight gift set

3.       You can’t beat a MAC lipstick really. A new lipstick always excites me anyway!

MAC Lipstick

4.       I’m absolutely in love with this little Hedgehog Hottie. It’s so so adorable and would to receive it as a present. Plus, it's microwaveable so you can keep warm all winter!

Hedgehog Hottie

5.       The faux fur headband, they are are all over the high street  at the minute and make a great gift, they’re warm and cute, and if you’re not really a woolly hat sort of girl like me then they’re perfect.

Faux Fur headband

6.       Eylure false lashes. In my house we’re a false lash wearers. So a nice pair of lashes never goes in wrong any time of the year!

Eylure lashes

7.       Christmas socks. You can never go wrong with a novelty pair!

Candy cane socks

8.       Body shop body butters always make me feel wintery. The do some brilliant gift sets and you can get a scent that the person you’re giving it to loves. I’m a mango or shea butter lover!

Body butter trio

Just a few little Christmas gift ideas for family and friends this year, enjoy!

Review: Origins Clear Improvement face mask

Recently as much as I hate to admit, my skin has been getting really congested and looking dull. After doing a bit of reading around and browsing different websites I came across some excellent reviews for the Origins Clear improvement black charcoal face mask  which to my surprise I already owned (saving myself some £’s!!).

The packaging says that the “activated charcoal acts like a magnet to draw out pore-cloggers for skin to breathe a sigh of relief”, just like the usual face mask jargon. But amazingly to my surprise when I applied it and the mask began to set, and as disgusting as this sounds, I could actually see the ‘pore cloggers’ being drawn to the surface as they set darker than the actual mask.

The mask is a little difficult to remove compared to others, but as long as you’re willing to dirty a face cloth or muslin cloth then you’ll be fine. After I remove the mask my skin really does feel a lot cleaner and if possible, freer to breathe. I've definitely converted to a face mask lover after this.

I’m not normally someone who is good at applying face masks and treatments on a regular basis, but since delving this number out of my collection, I'm going to really try and keep 15 minutes a week to apply the mask and watch my face unclog!


Overall 4/5