Weekly Loves #8

After a pretty hectic week and an even more hectic week approaching I am having a relaxing weekend. All-day pajama sessions, blankets and Friends on my TV means I can get on with some well overdue blogging so today I bring you a round of my favourite products from the past week...

An oldie, but a goodie is the Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara. A staple in my collection for quite a few months now, this has made it's way back into my everyday routine. Long, full lashes that stay put all day without 'printing' on to my brow bone - always a winner in my book. The tapered shape to this brush makes it super easy to reach the smaller lashes in to corner of your eyes and helps to coat your bottom lashes.

Another staple in my stash that has received a lot of love this week is the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer. Perfect for creating a glowing base, this bronze coloured product helps to illuminate the skin whilst making the staying power of your makeup an all-day affair. This works perfectly paired with the foundation from last week's post.

With my quest for nice hair continuing, I have been trialing out lots of new products. Over the past few days I have fallen in love with the effects of the Redken All Soft Supple Touch Spray. With a delicate coconut scent, this product gives you incredibly soft hair in only a few spritzes. I have also found this to help tame my frizzy ends, making my hair generally in much nicer condition. 

As I have mentioned in the past, this year I am trying to switch up my makeup looks and products. My NARS One Night Stand has gone a little unloved recently, however this week I rediscovered the shade Goulue (bottom right). A plum shade, that works great with a simple makeup look. I have been using this most days to add a bit of warmth to my complexion, while looking like I have a natural flush to my cheeks. I have also been loving using Laguna again from this palette as well.

What have you rediscovered in your collection lately? 

New Hair Care Additions

I have mentioned before about my hair disasters in my younger years and how I now try to keep it in the best condition possible. With that in mind, and the fact that I was running low on a couple of products, I decided to give my hair a treat...

TIGI S Factor Silky Smooth Moisture Serum is the only product from this line-up that I actually 'needed'. With my previous post-styling serum running out and my love for TIGI as a brand, this was next on my list to try. A large salon-sized bottle filled with a subtle scented, frizz fighting product makes this great for us girls with fly away hair. A little goes more than a long way when it comes to this so this should last a life time.

In recent months my hair has become unimaginably knotted when it is wet, making getting a brush through it an impossible mission. The Unite 7 Seconds Conditioner is now my hero. A few spritzes throughout the hair and you are good to go with out having to play tug-of-war with your hair. This also has a heat protector in which is always a bonus!

Another leave in product which has been added to my routine is the REDKEN All Soft Supple Touch Spray. A light weight product with soft coconut scent that leaves your hair feeling soft, silky and much more manageable. I have also found this to make my hair a lot stronger, so it is less prone to breaking. 

I picked up the REDKEN Cleansing Cream with only one purpose in mind - the first shampooing. This works to remove product build up and purify the hair, this product also contains fruit acids to add shine and refresh the hair. Again, you only need a small amount to work into the scalp, giving yourself a little massage as you go. 

As my mission for nicest hair continues, I would love to know your favourite hair care products!

Weekly Loves #7

Another week, another round up of my favourite products to show you. This week I have been searching through my stash to discover some forgotten gems and some new loves...

Having recently brought the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation back into my life, it has won my heart all over again. With a luminous, yet semi-matte finish and a thick, yet light weight texture this foundation gives great coverage with only the tiniest amount. Less really is more when it comes to this foundation... 

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders were a product I had disliked upon first use. However this week they have truly come to light in my eyes, bringing a brightening effect to my complexion whilst blurring over imperfections. Not to be used with a heavy hand, these powders set your makeup in place for the day and bring a natural glow on even the dullest of days.

Newest kid on the block, Pai Rosehip Oil has been taking center stage this week in my skincare line up. Being the only oil in my collection, this doesn't have a lot of competition but the immediate results of this have wowed me. With only 4-5 drops each evening my skin is looking brighter and more healthy as each day goes by.

Mac Plumful Lipstick has been my go to bold lip, when I don't want a bold lip. A sheer plum shade with slightly red undertones makes this the perfect choice for a subtle bold look during the winter season. It adds enough drama to your look so that you feel just that little bit more 'done up', without having to worry about the whole 'lipstick on your teeth' scenario. 

What did you love this week?

Beauty Reward Cards

Being the complete beauty obsessive I am, the majority of my wages go on buying new products whether it be makeup, skincare or hair products... you name it I want it. My beauty reward cards are the second most important thing in my purse, after my bank card of course, and I always make sure to use them where ever possible. Even if this means waiting a of couple days for an online order to come through or going to a different store to purchase an item. So today I thought I would give you a run down of my favourite beauty reward cards...

Boots Advantage Card

Easily my most loved beauty card, this sits right next to my debit card for easy access. With 4 points per £1 spent and 1 point equating to 1p, this quickly builds up the value of my card, usually meaning that I have more money on this card than in my bank. I always make sure to put my card in the Advantage Card Kiosk when entering Boots as I find the best point-boosting offers this way, more points = more money to spend on makeup. 

House of Fraser Recognition

This is probably my least used beauty card, mainly for the fact that the rewards (1 point per £1) isn't that amazing. However, this does come in useful around birthdays and Christmas as you receive points throughout the whole store, not just in the beauty department. Once 500 points has built up on your card you are rewarded the value of £5 which can be used as part-payment towards a product, unlike the Boots card where you must have full value of the product.

Debenhams Beauty Club

Once my most used product, this is now my go-to card for any products that I cannot purchase from Boots. With 3 points per £1 and 500 points equaling a £5 reward, this card it most used for MAC and Urban Decay purchases. The best bit about this card? Points are carried forward each month and you are notified with a 'Beauty Club Statement', which also warns you when your points are close to running out of time. It can all get a little confusing but it is always nice to have £5 taken off your purchase at the till.

Space NK N.Dulge

This is reserved purely for the more luxurious of beauty buys; NARS, Hourglass, Kevyn Aucoin, you get the gist. 1 point per £1, £5 per 100 points... it is very easily done. Some other perks of this card are the complimentary samples with orders, a birthday treat and invites to events. There is also the chance to upgrade to N.Dulge De Luxe, but you have to spend a whole lot of money for that...

It is always nice to get something back, or a little something off something expensive. 

What are your favourite beauty reward cards? 

Weekly Loves #6

The last week has been a very lazy one to say the least. With a week off work and nothing to do I had planned on being very productive, this didn't really take action and I ended up spending my time watching far too much Sex and The City... can I have Carrie's wardrobe please?  So with most days being no-makeup days I have been injecting some much needed moisture back in to my skin.

The Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream was a gift with purchase a while back. This thick textured, lightly scented hand cream has been helping to hydrate my hands through this dry stage that I'm having. It is quickly absorbed by the skin, without leaving a greasy feeling behind. It claims to condition nails as well as your hands, I can't say I have noticed much of difference with this as I have been using it on and off but either way I love this stuff! 

Another product I have been using to conquer my dry skin is Soap & Glory's Sugar Crush Body Butter Cream. With a very distinctive lime scent and filled with various balms and oils, I have been applying this in the AM for a refreshing wake up call and I have been left smelling sweet and sugary for the rest of the day. 

My face mask of choice this week has to be the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask. A light yet powerful product, this mask has been given my skin an extra dose of hydration while deeply cleansing it at the same time. The delicately sweet scent makes it all the more enjoyable to use while the list of natural ingredients gives you the comfort of knowing it won't be too harsh on your skin. 

When it comes to a intensely-hydrating moisturizer, I always reach for the Origins Make A Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Moisturizer. A gel/cream hybrid product that when applied feels light on the skin, but you definitely notice the difference the next morning. Your skin is left feeling plump, moisturized and ready for the day ahead. I only use this during my evening routine as it can look a little greasy on the skin.

What are your favourite moisturizing products?

Seventeen Phwoarr Paint

You probably know by now that I like a flawless base, and massive lashes. So aside from a full coverage foundation I need a concealer that is able to cancel out any unwanted pigmentation - read: dark circles. My beloved Collection concealer, you know the one, has always been a part of my routine so I thought it was about time to bring some competition into the mix...

Seventeen Phwoarr Paint, aka the dupe of Benefit Boi-ing, is said to be a heavy duty concealer. With only a small amount, this creamy textured concealer helps to cover dark circles and although it is targeted at under neath your eyes, this works wonders on hiding any blemishes on the skin as well. Creamy to apply but with a powder finish, I found that this concealer clung to dry patches that I didn't even know I had and creased beneath my eye when using it post-foundation. I also find the shade range to be quite disappointing, the shade 'fair' just isn't fair enough for my skin tone. However, I have found a way to get this to work for me. Applied pre-foundation to my dark circles and any redness, this product works great as a part of a team alongside my foundation and another concealer in helping me achieve my coveted flawless base. 

My Collection concealer may remain unrivaled but this little pot is great to have to your collection if like a full-coverage long lasting concealer and can find a way to combat any dryness. 

What is your favourite concealer? 

My Manicure Routine

There once was a time when I would change my nail polish three, maybe four, times a week. No base coat, no top coat, just colour. As you can imagine my nails were left a bit of a state - stained yellow and flaky. However, as I have grown to be older and wiser (when it comes to my nails) I have developed a routine that is serving me well and keeping my nails in great condition...

Step One: Removing Previous Colour. For this I like to use the Sally Hansen Strengthening Nail Polish Remover. Packed with vitamin E and wheat protein this product removes every trace of polish with ease whilst treating the nails to some much needed nutrients. This has made a huge difference in the condition of my nails and I would really recommend picking a nail polish remover suited to your nail type. 

Step Two: Prepping the Nails. I have four mini steps to this; firstly I start by simply cutting, using any nail clippers I have to hand, my nails to sort out any breakages or uneven edges I have gained and to shape them to how I like - square, FYI. Secondly, I go ahead and file the edges to help achieve a straight edge, any emery board will do. Thirdly, I buff over my nails using this Boots 7 Way Curved Block. I only do this when necessary as it can be damaging to the nails, but if you have any flaky bits it needs to be done! Fourthly, I take one cotton pad with a bit of nail polish remover on and quickly swipe over each my nails. This removes any left over polish that there might be and it dehydrates the nail slightly which helps your manicure's staying power. 

Step Three: Base Coat. My base coat of choice, for the past six months or so, has been the Sally Hansen Maximum Strength. Pale pink in colour, this product works perfectly as a base coat as it treats the nails while still protecting them from staining. This has made my nails go from dry and brittle, to stronger and much more healthy. You can also use this as a treatment but I just like to use it as a base coat.

Step Four: Colour. As apposed to back in the day when I have about 200 different nail polishes, my collection is now just a small array of shades that I switch between depending on my mood. As you can probably guess, my usual choice is an Essie polish - Essie Watermelon to be exact. This almost red, hot pink shade is probably my all time favourite colour, of which I like to apply two coats. I apply to coats of any shade. 

Step Five: Top Coat. Seche Vite. Need I say more? Probably not, but I will make a quick note - this stuff is amazing! If you like doing your mani's last thing at night then you need this. 

Step Six: The Finishing Touch. If you want healthy nails, you need healthy cuticles. To get healthy cuticles you need to incorporate a Cuticle Oil. I am still yet to find one that I love, so at the minute I just using a Sally Hansen one. I like to do this once my nails are completely dry and then again once or twice every day. 

Now this isn't the quickest of routines, it will take you around 30 minuets to complete. However, with a manicure that lasts around 5-7 days and healthy nails that are now a lot stronger, I can deal with that. 

What are your favourite manicure products?

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

Cleansing is without a doubt the most important step in any skincare routine. With a good cleanser comes clear, soft skin and a way of controlling any woes you may have. For this reason, I have become a bit of a cleanser junkie. I always keep a mental list of ones that I want to try, and if it is lucky enough to get repurchased then I know I am on to a good'un ...

The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish is my most repurchased cleanser - fact! I have had a bottle or tube of this in my life for three years straight now and I wouldn't be without one. This rich, thick textured cream both, removes makeup and cleanses the skin and it does so without being too drying or too oily. Full to the brim of natural, good-for-you ingredients this cleanser soothes and purifies your skin whilst gentle exfoliating with the use of a muslin cloth or flannel for a more radiant complexion. I mainly use this to remove my makeup, however if I am going away for a few nights this is the only cleanser I will bring as it does everything I need, without having to bring a second suitcase for an abundance of products.

In my eyes, this is the perfect all-round cleanser as it does any job you need your cleanser to do, while still be suitable for every skin type. I love this so much that I have converted friends and family to it, even my boyfriend has gone through a couple of bottles. 

Have you tried this Liz Earle cleanser? 

Weekly Loves #5

Following in line with last week and one of my new year resolutions, I have been trying to use some new products and some old favourites and this week has been spilt down the middle with the new to old ratio...

The most classic product from my collection is the L'Oreal Mythic Oil. I have had this for quite a while now, at least a year, and use it every single time I wash my hair. With out a distinctive scent, this oil helps to combat frizz for a more sleek and less messy look with out weighing down my fine hair.

I have noticed my skin becoming more dry lately so this week I have been overdosing with moisturising products to help restore some life back in to my skin. Hydraluron is product most known for it's hydrating properties and this gel like serum has been out to play almost every day this week. I tend to save this for my evening routine however if I'm having a no-makeup day I will pop some on in the morning as well. 

My dry skin isn't just located on my face, I have noticed my arms and legs also becoming quite lackluster, so in a bid to change this ASAP I picked up the Laura Mercier Souffle Creme Brulee Body Creme (the fact that it was half priced helped!). Firstly, this is probably the most gorgeous scented product I have ever tried - sugary sweet but with a sophisticated edge. Secondly, this is also the most luxurious of body creams I have ever tried - thick, yet silky in texture. My skin has never felt as soft as it does when this is put to use and the scent lingers on the skin for hours upon hours. 

Newest to product line-up is the Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Texturising Spray. If you have fine hair, you know it can be a challenge to add come volume to it but this wonder product has made it look easy. Practically weightless, this product adds volume and texture to your hair that will hold all day with out the typical crunchiness. A top up maybe needed if you're going from day to night, but for a normal day I find a quick spritz in the morning does the job. 

What did you love this week?