5 Favourites: Face Exfoliators.

Buying exfoliators is one of my favourite past times, I have quite a few (a collection which I am trying to downsize) but these are the ones I reach for often.
You should only really exfoliate once or twice a week. Exfoliators are designed to buff away the dead skin cells, leaving you with lovely, bright, fresh skin but if you're doing it too regularly there's no more dead skin cells to take away so you're just aggravating the skin. Eek! Also, if you are going to use quite an abrasive scrub then I'd suggest using a moisturiser with an SPF afterwards (or the next day, depending on when you use your exfoliator). 

We'll begin with the Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator. This is actually my smaller size version which was kindly sent to me a while back, I do have the full size version which lives in my shower. This is a natural version of an exfoliator, which contains jojoba beads as the exfoliating beads. When you use this, you'll notice that the beads are very round, like little balls as opposed to some of the other exfoliators which are more like sand. If you imagine sand rubbing at your skin its going to be a lot more abrasive than a circular ball, so obviously the Liz Earle is perfect for just a gentle way to remove the dead skin. 

Of course, it lives up to the Liz Earle hype which surrounds the blogging world. The consistency is similar to the cleanse and polish in a way, quite rich and has the same lovely natural smell.
I'd recommend this if you're a fan of the LE products and if you have dry/sensitive skin as it is absolutely lovely and leaves my skin feeling smooth. This is quite a gentle product, so you may not get the really smooth and bright effects that you do with a more abrasive product but it does an excellent job. 

The Sanctuarys Exfoliating Pore Refining is almost the opposite of the LE exfoliator, it is much more abrasive so leaves skin feeling very "new" and cleansed. This is probably best for those with oily skin and clogged pores, as its small exfoliating particles allow the pores to be fully cleansed.
One of my favourite products, it really does give you fresh and bright skin.

Kiehls Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser isn't actually meant to be in this group, but its a nice "daily" product meaning that it's more of a cleanser with fine exfoliating beads thrown in. It contains clay so is perfect for oily skins, and just gently cleanses the skin of impurities. This can be used every day, due to the fact that it's not actually an exfoliator and won't really aggravate the skin after continued use. 

The Sanctuary Warming Micro-Brasion Polish; I have had this for so long! Another one of my favourites due to the self-heating properties. I sometimes demonstrate this on customers at work because its such a lovely feeling. The heat relaxes the pores which means a deeper clean. It contains clay again, which I think is why it's quite thick. I always find it quite a task to spread this out over my face as well as trying to buff it in, but that's what generates the lovely warm sensation.
You're meant to leave this on for a few minutes to let the warmth get into the pores but I can very rarely be bothered. I'll definitely be repurchasing this as I don't own anything similar. 

Finally, The Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream. Another very abrasive scrub, this is more like microdermabrasion if you ask me! A very fine, gritty texture which reveals very soft and clean feeling skin. I have noticed that some prefer quite harsh scrubs and this is definitely one that will really buff the dead skin away. 

Any other scrubs that you recommend? 

Hair Products.

I've mentioned before that I don't really do a lot to my hair, it's usually quite messy. I never even used to use conditioner! It's quite fine and soft but thick, if that makes sense. I wash it every day and then blow dry it and use straightening irons (though not on all of it). Bad.
Recently, I've rediscovered my John Frieda Frizz Eaze Serum which is an absolute miracle product. I've had this bottle for years, since it first came out I guess. Anyway, I've only recently started using it properly and my hair really loves it. Blow drying my hair makes it quite frizzy so this keeps it in place and makes it so soft, oh so soft.

I was given this L'Oreal Professional product Pli recently to give a bit of texture to my hair. My hair goes flat quite quickly after backcombing and styling so since I've introduced this it makes it easier to style (because its so soft and fine). I spray it through towel dried hair and then use my hairdryer to activate. It really does give it a nice thick texture without being crispy. I'd love to try more products from this range! 

I recently bought the new VO5 Give me Texture powder, I've used the Osis one for years but its quite expensive and I didn't like how yuck it made my hair. This variation is great, I find that it doesn't make my hair as sticky and horrible as the Osis and it's so much cheaper. I'd definitely recommend this! I just apply it to my roots, you only need a small bit or it looks a bit grey in dark hair. Then massage in and you have big hair. Done. 

You will recognise this Caviar Anti-Ageing Hair spray from the first ever Glossybox! I absolutely love this product, if a perfume came out with this scent I would absolutely buy it. I broke the bottom by dropping it so it has tape around it. I don't use it all time, but its nice to give a lovely gloss to your hair as well as apparently protecting it from age. Yay for caviar.

Lastly, a product that I've been using for years and another one from John Frieda. Its the Blow Dry Lotion which is applied to the roots of damp hair before blowdrying to give texture and volume. Another one I really recommend, I've repurchased this once I think as it lasts so long. I prefer this to the mousse as you don't really feel it in your hair. 

What are your favourite hair products? 

5 New Lipsticks.

L-R: Topshop in Show Off, Beauty UK in Passion, Barry M 153, Elizabeth Arden in Melon, MAC in Chatterbox.

I seem to go through little obsessions with products, and at the moment it's lipsticks. I must admit after seeing them next to each other they do look quite similar but they do all have different finishes and are different shades. The Barry M, Topshop and MAC shades could all be dupes for each other! So if you want to save money on Chatterbox, get the Barry M instead!

I honestly couldn't even pick a favourite out of these, I do like the Barry M lipstick though! Which one do you like? Also, sorry about the awkward swatches, I had to do them on my other arm as I cut my arm quite badly on broken glass a week or two ago. Boo!

I'm still on a massive feel good high after the Royal Wedding which I have to say is one the most lovely and special moments I've ever witnessed. I was at work tragically but caught up on my break and watched it last night when I got home. I'm not a soppy person but I have to admit I was welling up! An insight into something amazing and fascinating, it really was something else. 

Kate looked absolutely incredible, I especially loved her McQueen evening dress. I wasn't too impressed with her makeup however, she'd slightly overdone it on the blusher and I think she should have gone for a more subtle look. 

I'm off work for the next two days, it's my boyfriends birthday on Monday so it'll be nice to spend some time together. I'm planning on taking him for lunch tomorrow, hopefully it'll be sunny!

A few to follow: Sarah, Ayden, Caroline. 

5 Favourites: Miracle Products.

Coconut Oil//Superdrug Eyebrow Shapers//Elizabeth Arden 8Hour Cream//Chapstick//Sudocrem

I have compiled this post because these are some of the products that I think are really great "miracle fixers" on the cheap. I don't think we need to rely on top of the range products when there are reasonably priced items that do exactly the same job (possibly better...)

01. Pure coconut oil. I found this in the World Foods section on my local Tesco, after a lady at work told me about it. Boots sells something similar but it's for the body, whereas this is general use (cooking etc.). I use it to nourish my split ends (I don't actually have many split ends, but it makes my hair nice all the same) & it leaves my hair feeling/looking great. It costs about £1.50 (I can't remember the exact price) for this 500ml tub. Its natural coconut oil, solid in the tub but it melts at a low temperature so once you rub it in to your hands, it will melt easily which means it can be applied to your hair. I left it over night, but I think a few hours would be fine.
I haven't used this on my skin, but I think it would be moisturising for any dry patches too.

02. Superdrugs Eyebrow Shapers. I have bought this many times in my life, and I honestly think they're so good! I hate tweezing because well, I'm lazy (there I said it). They're not your typical wax strip, they're clear sticky strips (a bit like tape, but thicker) and they come in three different shapes, one for above the brow, one for below (around the arch) and then a small rectangle to remove hair from the start of the brow.
They're quick and easy, and not too painful (best after a shower) and so much cheaper than waxing at a salon! You get about 56 uses out of one packet, and they cost about £3-£4 (I can't find them on the Superdrug website but you can get them in store). I have a habit of just slapping them on and hoping for the best & they always turn out well! I highly recommend.

03. Elizabeth Ardens 8 Hour Cream/Skin Protectant. I've talked about this before, and I'm sure you've heard about it. There really is no end to its uses! Patches of dry skin, cuts, chapped lips, spots... it does it all. It contains lanolin (hence the sheep-y smell) which soothes and moisturises.
I put this on my dry patches and they're gone over night. Anyone else have any uses for this cream?

04. Strawberry Chapstick. I bought this recently after my mum recommended it as I ALWAYS have chapped lips (I may have mentioned that before...). The smell of this instantly took me back to when I was about 7 years old, I used to have this and I'll admit, I may have had a sneaky nibble as it smells gorgeous! What else do you do when you're 7. Put this on at night, you'll wake up with lovely smooth lips in the morning. I like it because I can't feel that I'm wearing anything.

05. Sudocrem. This is absolutely the best product for getting rid of spots. It's meant to be an antiseptic for nappy rash, but it dries out spots over night! I have had spots that have completely gone after one night all because of this little miracle. I apply a massive dab of this at night, it works so much better than any spot cream I've ever tried.

I might do another post like this as there are a few other miracle products I can think of. Does anyone else have any products that they swear by? 

6 Favourites: Blushes.

L-R: Bourjois Blush Pot in Rose D'or, MAC Wonder Woman Blush in Amazon Princess, Smashbox blush in Proof Sheet, MAC Powder Blush in Fleur Power, MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty & MAC Mineralize Blush in Hang Loose.

I've done full posts on most of these products but I thought I would just do a quick post about the six blushes I've been reaching for recently. Usually it would have been 5 Favourites but I couldn't pick five!

Bourjois blush in Rose D'or is probably a blush most people have, and one which I absolutely adore. I've had a few compliments recently on this blush, not just in blog comments but in person too which is lovely. I've been told I really suit this blush so it's one that I wear most. Its a gorgeous pink with a gold iridescent glow to it. It looks really lovely on and it lasts for such a long time too. It really is that perfect natural colour.

MAC Wonder Woman Blush in Amazon Princess is also one I wear often, it's different from the pink blushes I usually wear as it's a bit brighter and also has blue/purple undertones. It only takes a small amount to look gorgeous so I can imagine it lasting a long time, it also stays on all well which is handy for wearing during the day.

Smashbox blush in Proof Sheet is another pink colour blush, but it's also leaning towards a nice coral colour. This is similar to the Bourjous Rose D'or and MAC Dainty but it doesn't have the glitter through it which makes it slightly more natural and matte. I wear this to work a lot to give me a nice glow.

MAC Fleur Power is a darker pink which I also absolutely love. It doesn't have any glitter in it, which is sometimes nice for a change, especially as you can mix and match with different highlighters. It's such a gorgeous colour, and the quality of MAC blushes is excellent. Well worth the price! This is actually the only powder blush I have by MAC that isn't mineralize (I think...) but this is probably going to change soon.

MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty is the first MAC blush I purchased and I think what began my blush buying frenzy. It's a light pink colour with a gorgeous glitter through it. I have a few light pink blushes because I think it's my natural glow anyway so I suit it best. It's also not too daring for daytime either.
Probably one of my most used blushes, it looks good on anyone.

MAC Mineralize Blush in Hang Loose from the Limited Edition In the Groove collection that everyone went mad for. It's a nice light pink teamed with a lilac/lavender colour. I have never seen a lilac blush before, and I wouldn't ever wear the lilac alone but blended together it looks so lovely.
I've only worn this a few times, but I like it because it's not like any other colour I own.



L-R: Bourjois Blush Pot in Rose D'or, Smashbox blush in Proof Sheet & MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty.



Bottom to Top: MAC WW Blush in Amazon Princess, MAC Mineralize Blush in Hang Loose & MAC blush in Fleur Power.

I'm a bit of a blush obsessive so I change which blush I use everyday. What are your thoughts?

5 Of the Best: Highlighters.

I think using a highlighter makes such a difference, especially as I don't have the best skin. A good highlighter will brighten dull skin, have light-reflecting pigments to cover blemishes and imperfections, and smooth over skin, hiding pores. For me, this is essential in my everyday makeup routine. 

A highlighter can brighten your overall appearance, and make tired-looking skin looking full of life. 

I'm going to introduce you to my five favourite highlighters, some of which are creams whilst others are powders. 

MAC Strobe Cream

I'm sure everyone has at least heard of this product. I use this every day, and I love how it transforms my skin. I've been using it for a few months now and I love it. MAC say "Brightens and clarifies with iridescent particles and antioxidants. Enhances the effects of light on all skin" which is exactly what we want. It uses botanicals, vitamins and green tea to add some life to your skin. I use this all over my face, on top of moisturiser. Although it can be used on its own (I wish!) I always wear foundation on top, which gives me a lovely healthy glow. I've recently had a few compliments on my complexion and it's all down to this little lovely. If you don't already have this in your makeup bag, then I'd really recommend it. It doesn't make skin shine, just simply adds a subtle but gorgeous sheen.

Benefits High Beam

Ahh the famed High Beam. I can guarantee that everyone has this in their collection, it's just one of those cult products isn't it. High Beam is a "complexion enhancer" which creates "that natural, radiant glow you've always desired" say Benefit. I've been using this product for years now, and we've been through a turbulent relationship in this time but I've finally accepted this product for what it is. Whilst I use MAC Strobe Cream all over my face, High Beam is destined for those special areas you want to be noticed, such as your cheekbones, your brow bone or down your nose. I use this usually only on my brow bone, which I think works amazingly well. High Beam is quite pigmented, more so than MAC strobe cream I would say (but it is more of a pink undertone as the picture shows). I used to apply this over my foundation to my cheek bones, but I found that it didn't blend in so well with my foundation. I now use a powder for this area. Once I had worked that out, I began to see High Beam in a whole new light. 

High Beam is a lot thicker than other liquid highlighters such as Strobe Cream, and it's also quite gloopy. 

Although I do recommend this product, you really have to find out what works for you. I absolutely love High Beam just under my eyebrow to accentuate the arch but you may find other uses for this. 

Smashbox Soft Fusion Lights in Baked Stardust

This is one of the first Smashbox products I've tried and I don't think I've put it down since. Smashbox say "The illuminating formula softens the way light reflects on your skin and wakes up your complexion for a radiant look" which is what it does. I apply this to my cheekbones (sorry High Beam!) to give a subtle sheen and a lovely glow. I don't use a bronzer, but this does have a slight bronzed look to it, so this sort of is my bronzer. I can't fault this product, it's less noticeable than other powder highlighters I've tried and the 5 different colours give such a nice natural glow. I'm quite pale (NW20) and happy with that, so it's nice to have a small amount of bronze added to your face which will catch the light and brighten your appearance. 

I guess you could sweep this product around your face, but I find it works best with just a small amount on my cheeks. 

Bourjois Illuminating Touch

I've always been a massive fan of Bourjois little pots, especially their blush pots. I found this about a year ago, and it's always been something I reach for. It's more iridescent than the other highlighters i've mentioned, and a lovely natural peach colour. Although it's a bit more glittery, it gives a subtle glow which helps to sculpt the face. I think this is a bit more natural than the other highlighters. 

I'd definitely recommend this product, it goes really well with a nice pink/peach blush and really injects some glow into your skin. 

Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam

Okay so I know I only bought this a few days ago, but I am seriously in love. This product is so lovely and pigmented, Topshop say it is a "Shimmering silky golden highlighter to add lightness and radiance to face and body". 

I know this will become a permanent product in my life, the lovely golden colour is gorgeous and it really does give you a gorgeous glow. I use this along my cheekbones and on my temples, but it can be used all over the body - on the collarbones or around your cleavage. 

This looks amazing on my slightly pale skin, but I know it will look lovely in the summer with a tan as well. 

If you don't already have this, you really need this in your life. 

So there is my 5 Best Highlighters, let me know what you think. I'm thinking about making this a regular feature so if you want to suggest something for me to review, I'd definitely be up for it. 

In other news, I'm selling two of my favourite dresses on ebay, which can be found here.