L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Micellar Solution

Micellar waters are becoming increasingly popular lately with many skin care brands jumping on the bandwagon. I've been a fan of possibly the original and most well renowned - Bioderma Sensibio -  for a long time now and regularly repurchase this as a staple of my skin care routine. I am yet to find anything that removes eye make up as well and is as gentle on my sensitive eyes.
However, Bioderma is only available to me online and when I run out, I have to wait until a new bottle is delivered which isn't always as quick as I would like.
I found myself in this situation recently having used the last drop of Bioderma and needing a replacement immediately. Whilst shopping in the supermarket I noticed a new micellar solution from L'Oreal. I will admit to having never used L'Oreal skincare before, but at the bargain price of £3 and no obviously dodgy ingredients listed - I decided to give this one a go. If it turned out to be horrific, I had only wasted a small amount of money no big deal.

Bioderma Ingredients:

To say I was apprehensive is an understatement. My temperamental skin does not take kindly to swapping and changing products and introducing new products from brands I do not usually use can lead to full on skin meltdown.
That evening, I used L'Oreal's Micellar Solution to remove my eye make up as I would normally use my Bioderma. Two cotton pads soaked in the solution and my eye make up was removed - or so I thought. 
Upon closer inspection, the waterproof mascara I had used on my lower lashes was still there. I tried fresh cotton pads soaked in more of the L'Oreal Micellar Solution to no avail - the waterproof mascara just would not budge.

Luckily I do not use micellar water as a full cleanse - nor do I recommend that anyone do this. My bioderma acts as an eye make up remover only. Sadly, the L'oreal worked fine on regular eye make up but just couldn't move the waterproof mascara. Bioderma removes all of my eye make up instantly with no problems.

I can say that whilst this micellar solution did not cause any sensitivity, it didn't feel quite as gentle as the Bioderma. I managed to get some in my eye and there was a minor stinging sensation.

While this was an absolute bargain at £3 I doubt I will repurchase and there is no question about how effective it is compared to Bioderma.
This was a fair substitute given the situation but Bioderma is the clear winner and the only micellar water I will use in future.

Friday Favourites

Today is a random collection of things I have been loving this week - all of them are duos, strangely enough - this wasn't even a conscious decision!

First up MAC Face & Body foundation - shade C3applied with Real Techniques Buffing Brush.  This is the only foundation to have graced my face for around a fortnight now. I love the lighweight, water based consistency and the amazing glow it gives to my skin. It is sheer yet SO buildable to pretty much a good medium coverage. C3 is my summer shade in this foundation - in the few days of sunshine we have had through May I have caught the sun and now require darker foundation. I am one of the lucky few, it seems, who does not suffer with breakouts from MAC foundations. I apply most foundations using the Real Techniques Buffing Brush because it is quite simply, the best brush I have ever used to apply base products.

Both of these products have been mentioned numerous times on this blog.

Make Up Forever HD Blush #5 - Nip Slip applied with MAC 109 brush. I see Make Up Forever have adopted NARS' risque naming process? I quite like the name, but then I am not easily embarrassed or a prude. This cream blush is a gorgeous light-medium warm pink and one of the rare cream blushes I actually get on with and doesn't disappear from my face after an hour. These blushes are insanely pigmented, like nothing I have used before. A tiny bit goes a long, long way. The MAC 109 brush is one of the few MAC brushes I love and swear by. A cute little duo fibre, this is the perfect size for blending out blush on the cheeks.

NARS Blondie eyeshadow applied with Smashbox #12 Angle Brow Brush. This single eyeshadow is one of my all time favourites - Blondie is a mate neutral taupe shade that I use as both a crease colour and a brow powder. My hair is much lighter now than it has been in a long time so this shadow works great on my brows and due to it containing both cool and warm tones it would suit most people. The smashbox #12 brush I have owned for such a long time and rarely used until recently, I have really be enjoying using it to fill in my brows - it is softer than most angled brow brushes which I prefer.

Soap & Glory Heel Genius and Hand Food. Two long serving staples in my collection - as the weather warms up it's time to start preening the feet and toes ready for sandals and flip flops - this cream is one of the richest and most nourishing I have used on my feet and I love the smell. Hand Food is also a gorgeous hand cream and one I keep in my bathroom all the time, rich, nourishing and scented with the signature S&G fragrance (*cough*Miss Dior Cherie*cough*)

Body Shop Strawberry Body Polish and Body Butter are my current shower favourites - both smell incredible and leave my skin feeling silky soft and moisturised. Love love love these.

What have you been loving this week?

Project 10 Pan - Perfume

Project 10 Pan. Do people even do these anymore?! Anyhow, I'm a lapsed blogger - so now I'm getting involved.
This project 10 Pan will focus solely on perfume. I have a bit of a 'thing' for perfume, you see. In the same way I hoard blush, I hoard perfume too. I absolutely love buying and trying new perfumes but I seem to have ended up in a bit of a perfume rut.
I have my all time favourites, those perfumes I have always loved and probably always will. I use them up and repurchase them regularly - I call these my signature scents. I know technically it should be only one signature scent but I couldn't possibly only have one!
Then there are the perfumes I am seduced by in duty free and beauty halls - those that smell delicious on others but end up being relegated to the back of the dresser for eternity because they just don't suit me.
I have far too much perfume and I'm also coveting more, so before I move on to new scents and repurchase the staples of my collection, I NEED to get rid of a fair few. My collection is a little on the large side.

I have picked out ten fragrances that are either coming to the end of their life or languishing in the dresser half used up. These are:

Clockwise from L-R: 

DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom 30ml EDP 

This was an airport impulse buy - it was a pretty pink bottle and I had a strange obsession with the smell of the original Be Delicious on other people - it always smelled so fresh and zesty. Sadly on me, not the same. This bottle actually gets left in my travel make up bag for when we go on holiday, I tend to use it up most when I am abroad. I estimate there is about 10ml left to use up.

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy 30ml EDP

Blogger favourite but sadly not mine. This is just all kinds of wrong on me. I just don't get it. It smells awful. There is a little less than half left, about 12-13ml. It is going to kill me having to use this up because the smell actually makes me nauseous.

Juicy Couture EDP 30ml

See above. Even worse than Viva La Juicy. Seriously, what is wrong with Juicy Couture scents?! This one is a more floral, old lady version of the above. Yuck. About half left. Don't be surprised if these don't get used up!

Chanel Allure 35ml EDP

Ah, this perfume holds such memories. In fact, this particular bottle. This very bottle of perfume was the scent I wore on the day I got married, almost 5 years ago. The perfume has darkened a little with age but still smells perfect. This was the only everyday perfume I wore from the age of around 19-23 so it became my wedding perfume because it reminded my husband most of me. Other contenders were Chanel Coco Mademoiselle (but everyone was wearing this at the time!) and either Creed Spring Flower or Creed Love in White. There is hardly any of this left, but I will enjoy using it up and will definitely repurchase.

Christian Dior J'Adore 50ml EDP

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this perfume. Some days it smells great on me and others can make me feel a bit queasy. It was a gift so I have persevered with it, but I really have to be in the mood to wear it. It's not a very 'me' scent, I think that is why I struggle with it. There isn't much left to use up, so this one should be easy to finish.

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle 50ml EDP

Ah. Coco Mademoiselle. I absolutely adore this fragrance but hate the fact that every women and her daughter wear it. It became SO overdone and overworn. Offices and bars would be filled with the scent of Coco Mademoiselle and I felt like I just blended in with everyone else. Not as popular these days, it seems but still too many people wear this and it puts me off! I have around 10ml left and I know I will end up repurchasing because I just can't be without it!

YSL Cinema 50ml EDP

This is a bit of a strange one for me. I like the scent, don't get me wrong, but there is a certain period of my life  - when I was pregnant - that I bought new perfumes because the ones I already owned invoked the worst nausea and morning sickness you can imagine. I wasn't able to wear ANY of my usual perfumes and I really went off them for 9 months (and a while after the birth too) 

This is one of the perfumes I purchased and enjoyed whilst pregnant but now, I struggle to wear it. There is about 15-20ml left...not sure how I feel about wearing this one and using it up.

Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gioa 30ml EDP

This was a gift from a friend, because I had smelled it on them and absolutely fell in love. I am not a lover of the original Acqua di Gio but this is altogether different and very delicious. I actually used this up this morning, with a liberal spray for the school run. Whilst I enjoyed wearing this, especially in warmer weather, I won't repurchase.

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue 25ml EDT

This perfume has been with me for longer than I care to remember (not this partcular bottle!) I can remember still living at home as a teen and owning Light Blue, so that would be around 12 years ago. It is probably one of the most popular and 'done' fragrances but I still cannot help loving its fresh , zesty scent. I always, always have a bottle of this in my collection and this 25ml purse spray is just that - one that gets thrown in my handbag. I also have a 100ml on my dresser. This is my husband's absolute favourite perfume on me, honestly, it drives him wild. My only gripe is that they do not offer an EDP and EDT's just do not last on my skin.

Ghost Deep Night 30ml EDT

This was my evening perfume in my early 20's and it holds such strong memories for me, I always like to keep a bottle in my dresser for nostalgia. It is also absolutely gorgeous and cheap as chips. There is around 10ml left here and I will enjoy using this up and feeling young again!

So there we have my Project 10 Pan -  Perfume. I am hoping to get these finished up by the end of the month and will report back in an empties post (hopefully) 

In the meantime - please leave me a comment with your long term or current favourite scents - I am definitely going to be on the look out for some new scents for my collection once these are finished. I am currently in love with Tom Ford Neroli Portofino and Black Orchid and also Elie Saab.

Tom Ford Lip Color Shine - Smitten. Oh yes I am.

The name of this lipstick pretty much sums up my feelings toward it. I am well and truly smitten.
It took me a while to jump on this particular bandwagon as generally, I much prefer a nice opaque, creamy lipstick to a sheer glossy one. I went through the lipgloss phase in my teens and once I started wearing full on lipsticks in my twenties, I never really looked back.
Then these balm-gloss-lipstick hybrids started appearing - Chanel Rouge Coco Shines and Chantecaille Lip Chic were the first ones I tried out. I bought so many of them initially and now only two remain in my collection. They just weren't really for me and back to lipsticks I went.

Now, being the Tom Ford obsessive I am, I just couldn't resist at least trying his version of these hybrid lip products. I ummed and aaahed for a few months after these were initially released until finally I caved and Smitten was introduced to my collection.

Like I said, Smitten says it all. This little tube is perfection.

An absolutely divine shade of warm baby pink shot through with gold shimmer and a naturally glossy finish, this feels so moisturising and comfortable on my lips. 
The scent is perhaps a little stronger than in the regular lipstick line, but I personally love the rich vanilla scent. The texture is smooth, creamy and so moisturising. The finish is glossy without looking overly glittery, shimmery or in your face. It is a subtle yet buildable sheer balm-lipstick.
Lasting power, as with most of these hybrid lip products is not great, a couple of hours at best and not really a product that lasts through coffee.

For me this product is a winner - and that comes from someone who isn't really a lover of these semi transparent, sheer lip products. If that's your preferred type of product, you will LOVE these.
I love that they offer decent colour payoff for a balmy lipstick and keep my lips feeling soft and supple through the changing seasons. I am confident this is the first of many of these lip shines that I will own!

Tom Ford Lip Color Shines retail for £36.

Friday Favourites

Has it really been a week since my last post?! My son was back to school after half term this week so it has been a bit manic getting back into a routine. I've been spoilt by the extra hour in bed at half term and this week has been hard to adjust - hello, tired eyes!

Here are my favourites for this week...

Clockwise from L-R: Essie Polish - Fifth Avenue, Hawaiian Tropic Body Butter, Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer, Tresemme Instant Refresh Dry Shampoo, Illamasqua Blush - Tremble, Laura Mercier Eyeshadow  -Topaz, Tarte Park Avenue Princess Bronzer, Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers.

Essie Nail Polish - Fifth Avenue 
A glossy, hot, tomato orange-red. Predictable, moi? Yes I have 164 other nail polishes this colour but they suit me and I love them. This is the one that has adorned my hands and feet this week.

Hawaiian Tropic Exotic Coconut After Sun Body Butter
This is technically an after sun body butter but i've been using this through rain, snow, sleet and freezing temperatures. It is a gorgeously rich body butter that isn't greasy and sinks in to the skin quickly. The smell is absolutely divine - a mix of coconut and that luminous yellow antibiotic medicine for children - other parents please say you understand what I mean?!

Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer
I received this to review several months ago - you can read that here. Still totally in love with it and it is perfect for the early morning school run.

Tresemme Instant Refresh Volumising Dry Shampoo 
On my quest for a HG dry shampoo, I have been trying this one out over the past week. I am trying to wash my hair less and this has been great at keeping my hair from looking greasy in between washes. It does offer a fair bit of volume without weighing my hair down or making it feel dry and crunchy. Leaves MUCH less residue than Batiste, so much so I can barely see it.

Illamasqua Powder Blush - Tremble
The perfect pale pink blush. Not too chalky, insanely pigmented and is all I have worn on my cheeks this week.

Laura Mercier Luster Eyeshadow - Topaz
I have had this eyeshadow for so long, I forget when I actually purchased it but it has remained a favourite in a sea of taupe eyeshadows. The texture is so soft for a luster, which can tend to feel a little gritty. This is an everyday staple in my make up bag.

Tarte Park Avenue Princess
This was a custom purchase as part of a swap a few years ago with a blogger in the USA. I do wish Tarte products were readily available in the UK, because everything I have used I have loved, this bronzer being no exception.
A gorgeously soft matte bronzer that looks natural and blends beautifully into the skin. I have already hit pan and I don't think it will be long before I need to repurchase.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers
These are the only lash curlers that really work on my lashes and for that, I love them. I have been relying on them heavily this week, coupled with the Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer to give the appearance of wide, awake and fresh eyes when they are anything but!

Friday Favourites

It has been such a long time since I have written a Friday Favourite post, I thought i'd rectify that while I have a bit of spare time on my hands.

Clockwise L-R: Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer, Joico K-Pak liquid reconstructor, Creed Spring Flower, Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, Tom Ford Ultra Shine Lipgloss - Sahara Pink, Laura Mercier Souffle Body Cream - Tarte au Citron, MAC Eye Kohl - Powersurge, Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush - Amused

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer

As mentioned in a full review here and FOTD here. Not just a favourite this week, I have used this almost daily throughout March mixed with tinted moisturisers, moisturisers and primers. Each time I find a new way to use it, I fall in love a little bit more.
£36 - Space NK.

Joico K-Pak Liquid Reconstructor for fine, damaged hair

I have (once again) decided to return to my natural dark ash blonde hair colour and due to the dark chocolate browns I have used for years, this requires colour removal with peroxide. Peroxide = damage. It is inevitable and mostly unavoidable, however the damage can be minimised with the use of the right products.
Joico K-Pak is a product I have purchased and used since my teens and one that really works. I apply this on clean washed hair before drying/styling.

Joico say "Replenishes lost amino acids in weak, depleted hair by filling in damaged areas of the cuticle. Your fine, fragile and lifeless hair experiencing breakage, premature colour loss and a lack of styling responsiveness (due to chemical, thermal and environmental damage) has restored vitality, strength, shine and elasticity thanks to Joico K-Pak Liquid Reconstructor for Fine/Damaged Hair"

Couldn't have said it better myself! I truly believe Joico and especially their K-Pak line are totally underrated.
£15.95 for 300ml - lookfantastic.com

Creed Spring Flower
Spring Flower is a perfume that was created for Audrey Hepburn and released to the public many years later. It was reportedly her signature scent and I can see why. A fruity floral, Spring Flower is fresh and feminine. It is not my usual taste in fragrance but this is an exception I wear as the weather changes. Perfect for cold, crisp, bright days.
£90 for 30ml EDP, £150 for 75ml - Selfridges

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

Unintentionally, this selection of products is influenced by Audrey Hepburn as this is another product that was developed for her!
As above, I have been relying heavily on products to repair my processed and bleached hair. I have several of these little tubes and have been working through them all.This intensive, pre shampoo treatment helps damaged hair to regain elasticity and keep my hair feeling soft, smooth and nourished.

I apply this to my hair before shampooing on damp hair, then cover with cling film (sexy) and leave for 20 minutes. Despite two rounds of colour removal with peroxide, my hair is feeling in pretty good condition. 

This product was originally developed for Audrey Hepburn. If it's good enough for Audrey...
£12.25 for 75ml or £22.30 for 150ml- lookfantastic.com

Tom Ford Ultra Shine Ligloss - Sahara Pink
Sahara pink is one of those colours you can wear with just about anything. A neutral, dusky  rose pink in the tube, this actually looks a lot brighter on my lips. I am usually a fan of lipstick rather than gloss, but I love these Tom Ford glosses and now own 5 of them which isn't bad for someone who supposedly doesn't like gloss! The finish is more like a liquid lipstick and the shine is incredible without a hint of stickiness or gloopiness that I associate with regular glosses. The pigment is rich and finish is opaque.
£32 - House of Fraser

Laura Mercier Souffle Body Creme - Tarte Au Citron
I a somewhat of a body butter obsessive. I cannot enter a pharmacy, supermarket, department store or in fact - any shop - without a body butter. I have quite the collection but the Laura Mercier Souffle Body Creme's are up there with some of the most decadent. 
The feel unbelievably soft and creamy and sink into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. The scent of this one is divine - almost edible. So lemony and fresh, with a subtle...cakey undertone! Divine. Not sure if this can be bought alone, I had it as part of a duo.
£25 for souffle body creme & honey bath duo - Space NK/House Of Fraser

MAC Eye Kohl - Powersurge
The creamy soft MAC kohl pencils will always be a part of my make up collection - especially Teddy, Smolder and this one...Powersurge. MAC call this a bronzed-brown with golden shimmer, which is spot on. This is a beautiful colour that looks gorgeous in place of the usual black eye pencil. I like this in my waterline for a defined, yet softer look.
£14 - MAC stores or MACCosmetics.co.uk


Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush - Amused
This and dollface are two of my favourite Tarte blushes, I just wish they were available in the UK! I have worn Amused almost every day for a few weeks - it is a bright, cool toned pink that can sheered out for a more subtle pop of pink.
The texture and staying power is wonderful, but sadly both of my tarte blushes have ended up like this...
$26 - Tartecosmetics.com/ Sephora

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer Review

You know every now and then a product comes along and totally blows everything else out of the water? Kevyn Aucoin's Sensual Skin Enhancer is one of those.

A beautiful multi tasking product this is not one for the faint hearted. If you like a base product you can slap on and go - this isn't for you.
SSE is a high maintenance formula that needs to be handled the right way - a bit like me. Maybe that's why I get on so well with this product... we just get each other.
If you are prepared to work with this product and experiment with different application methods, the results are amazing - as a foundation or as a camouflage cream for blemishes, redness and scarring.
Don't be afraid to experiment either, this little pot holds 18g of product. Each application requires roughly a pin head sized amount. Honestly. Any more and your face will appear mask like and robbed of any features. This pot could easily last a lifetime. I've had mine around 8 months and have barely scratched the surface.

I wear shade sx07 at the moment. For shade reference and how it compares to other foundations I use and own, please check out the 'me, my skin and I...' tab on my blog. I have put all information regarding my skin type and colouring here, to help give a more broad idea of shades for reference.

This is how much I use, blended out with moisturiser for my entire face...that is the product smoothed out as well, I can't get across just how little needs to be used.

I won't go on and list the multitude of ways SSE can be applied, because I'm sure the possibilities are endless...but my personal favourite, depending on coverage required, is blending the tiniest amount with either a moisturiser or primer and also blending with another more sheer foundation/tinted moisturiser for a completely flawless look.
Starting in the centre of my face and especially on my cheeks,  I use a buffing brush to gently work the product into my skin. The coverage is unbelievably good, like nothing else I have ever used. My cheeks are my problem area, often displaying signs of a rosacea flare up. I then buff, blend and work the product out towards the edges of the face.
If you think Estee Lauder's Maximum Coverage or Double Wear are full coverage - wait until you try Sensual Skin Enhancer.

This is my skin, free of any make up. Admittedly not a proper bad skin day, but not a good day either. The redness around my cheeks is my biggest concern and one of the most important factors of a base product for my skin is whether it adequately covers redness and does not sit in my large pores. The other most important being the longevity of the product.

Here is my face after applying a tiny amount of Sensual Skin Enhancer blended with La Roche Posay Toleriane Fluide. You can see that my face looks flawless without being obviously made up. There is no cakiness, no noticeable foundation - my skin looks like skin.

The texture of SSE is thick yet not at all gloopy or tacky. The most similar texture I can think of is Benefit's erase paste, but even then they aren't exactly the same. Sensual Skin Enhancer is creamier and much, much more pigmented. This stuff is insanely pigmented!
The texture and pigment of the product are the reason this needs extra care and a lot of attention when applying. It does need something mixed with it to give it that extra bit of slip. Although I am oily in places, I do suffer with dryness also - especially around the redness on my cheeks. Trying to blend this alone is virtually impossible. 

Here is my completed make up look using Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer and was also the look in this blog post. For a detailed look at the other products, please read this post. 

This make up was applied at 7.15am.

For an idea of how this wears, here is my make up at random periods throughout the day. A day in which I got heavily rained on, then a bit of sleet and snow plus a hectic school run. SSE is waterproof, which ensured it stayed perfect throughout it all, shame the same couldn't be said about my hair!

As you can hopefully see, Sensual Skin Enhancer wears like iron. No patchiness, fading or sliding off my skin. 
There is a definite oil break through in the latter part of the day, but it looks glowing and natural rather than oil slick. I didn't really take much notice throughout the day when I was taking these photographs, until it come to the last picture. That is me, in the bathroom ready to take off my make up for the day. I don't think I have ever reached nearly 12 hours of foundation wearing and still looked this flawless! Looking back on the photographs I have taken and the times, I have been pleasantly surprised. I LOVE this stuff even more! My other make up has faded, but my skin still looks great.

I highly recommend Sensual Skin Enhancer, but do be warned that this does require extra attention upon application. It is an excellent product for anyone who loves to experiment with cosmetics and blending different products for different looks.
Without sounding patronising, I wouldn't recommend this if you are just starting out with cosmetics or make up application - it does require a level of skill.
I have read and heard so many stories of how it just looks so thick and fake and doesn't blend properly, this is all down to the application.

I will also warn you that Sensual Skin Enhancer's first ingredient is mineral oil, which I usually avoid. However, this has caused no skin sensitivity or breakouts.

I'd love to know if you have tried this product and what is your favourite method of application or what do you like to mix it with for a flawless look?



Kevyn Aucoin products can be bought from Space NK. Sensual Skin Enhancer costs £36.

March Empties

March was the first month that I managed to actually use up some make up, which is almost unheard of for me!
I have so many products on rotation that I rarely use things up, even if I love them. This month was the exception. I am making a conscious effort to use things up or get rid of them if they are no good.
I want to narrow my collection down to the products that I truly love and that work for me.
The eagle eyed amongst you will also notice two products from last month's empties post also...I had duplicates that I have also used up!

From L-R:

Champneys Super Rich Skin Cleansing Balm.
This one was in last month's empties post...another one bites the dust! This bargain face cleansing balm has become a regular on my bathroom shelf, I can't get enough of it. Gentle enough for my sensitive, reactive skin but also manages to slough away dead skin cells without irritating or causing redness. Aleady have a back up of this and will continue to purchase.

MAC Fix + 
It seems to have taken me forever to get through this bottle of Fix + and I am finally there. I am a bit ambivalent towards it and not sure I would repurchase, purely because I want to try Skindinavia's/Urban Decay's setting sprays instead. I cannot honestly say if Fix+ increases the staying power of my make up, but I do love to spritz my face with it straight after applying my make up for the day, especially if I have used several powder products and want my face to look less powdery. 

Pureology Essential Repair Shampoo & Conditioner
I started using these products as the salon I was going to at the time used and stocked the Pureology range and I loved the results. These are sulfate free and make my hair look and feel shiny and nourished. The Essential Repair products are perfect for my tired, stressed and over processed hair. They nourish and fortify the hair without affecting colour too, which is a big bonus. Will definitely repurchase.

La Roche Posay Toleriane Fluide
La Roche Posay claim that this product Instantly moisturizes and soothes feelings of heat and irritation in combination to oily skin - I can attest that this is a very accurate product description.
When my rosacea flares up, I need an intense moisturiser that can take the heat and stinging sensation away and this does just that. It is a lovely light fluid that also works as a great base for make up. Will definitely repurchase and also recently purchased the Toleriane Riche moisturiser for even more hydration through the winter months.


Batiste XXL Volume Dry Shampoo
Didn't like it last month and don't like it this month either. Not a nice product at all. Hated having to use it up, so I threw it away after a few uses!

Bioderma Crealine H20 (now Sensibio)
My absolute HG make up remover. I know it is possibly one of the most overhyped products at the moment but to me, it totally lives up to the hype. I have the most sensitive eyes and this causes no irritation and removes every last bit of make up easily and quickly. LOVE it. Have been using for a year or so and I rely heavily on it. SO glad it is now stocked in the UK!

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation B20
Another product I am on the fence about. It is a lovely light foundation but I often have days where I apply this and within hours it is a patchy mess and other days where it can last for 10 hours +. I do have to powder this foundation which seems a shame.
I do enjoy it though and I am sad to have used the last of it...a possible repurchase.

Diorskin Forever Foundation
LOVE this foundation and cannot wait to repurchase. It feels lightweight yet offers excellent, long lasting coverage. My skin looks flawless without looking flat. It is one of the most lightweight, long lasting foundations I have used. Only problem is I am between shades, so to get the absolute perfect shade I do really need to mix two colours.

Clinique Redness Solutions Foundation
It took me forever to finish the foundation as I rarely ever found myself reaching for it. It is incredibly thick coverage and I found it can be a nightmare to get a flawless, even finish. It does cover redness well but there are better foundations out there with more sophisticated formulas that do it better and more importantly...last longer. As with most Clinique foundations I have found, the colour selection is dire.
Won't repurchase.


MAC Select MoistureCover concealer NC20
This is an OK concealer, it does a good job of covering dark circles without caking and feels nice and lightweight on the skin. Only problem is the packaging is awful (a doe foot applicator in a tube, much like a lipgloss) and there is a LOT of wastage. I've tried my best to get the rest of this product out and given up now. I wont repurchase this because there are much better concealers out there.

Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara
Loved it last month and still loving it this month. I had two on the go for some reason and have now come to the end of both. Will definitely be repurchasing.

Free Soap & Glory Body Butter at Boots

Just a quick post to let Soap & Glory fans know that in Boots at the moment they are offering a free full size (300ml) Butter Yourself body butter worth £10.50 when you spend £10 across the range (excluding facial skincare and cosmetics)

Above are a few of my favourites from the brand...as you can see I am a big fan of their scrubs, body wash, bubble bath and body butters. I love how cheap and cheerful they are and they always smell so fresh and fruity.

I picked up two replacement products that I had used up and bagged myself the free body butter, not a bad deal at all!

From Boots.com: Soap & Glory™ Butter Yourself™ Body Cream is a five fruits smoothing body cream for fresher, smoother and softer skin. It has exfoliating AHAs to help safely exfoliate dead skin cells and stimulate skin cell renewal; Orange Waterjuice™; shea butter for skin softening and smoothing; peppermint oil; Fruitliquid Fig for moisturizing and as an antioxidant; and it's paraben-free!

I can attest to the fact it smells absolutely delicious and leaves my skin feeling soft and intensely moisturised.
I couldn't seem to find out a definite timescale for this offer, so i'd go soon if you don't want to miss out!

NOTD: Chanel Rouge Noir

This was the first ever high end nail polish I bought, over 10 years ago. Originally released in the 90's and elevated to cult status by Mia Wallace, a character portrayed by Uma Thurman in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction.
A favourite film of mine and definitely a favourite nail polish.

Rouge Noir is very much a 'does what is says on the tin bottle' kind of polish. A deep blackened red with gorgeous shine, this looks exceptionally good on my shorter nails. 

A lot of people are unhappy with Chanel's nail polish line due to their price and poor longevity. Most people find that they chip within hours, which I have experienced with some Chanel polishes but not with Rouge Noir - and this is 3rd bottle in over 10 years.

I do experience tip wear around day 2 and the chips start creeping in around day 3-4. Not as long wearing as some polishes, but not absolutely poor either. As usual I wore it over a base of Orly Bonder and Poshe fast drying topcoat.

I have tried many, many dupes of Rouge Noir (and believe me there are a LOT) but I always come back to the original.


Chanel nail polishes retail for £18.