Review: Botanics Hot Cloth Cleanser

When Caroline Hirons mentioned how good this hot cloth cleanser was I knew I had to pick it up and I'm so glad I did. This Botanics Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm is one of the best I've tried from the high street.

This hot cloth cleanser is a hard balm that melts when you rub it between your fingers. It melts even more as you apply it to your face and turns into a sort of oily consistency as your massaging it on your skin. Easily removed with a face cloth or the muslin cloth that comes with the balm itself. It doesn't look very nice and doesn't smell very nice but it does work well on the skin. Containing Rosehip, Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil this works to nourish the skin as well as cleansing the skin. These three ingredient work together to make skin more supple and a softer feel.

When it comes to applying this to your face, I recommend that you wet your face beforehand. Because this is a hard balm it can be quite hard to get out of the tub itself and then takes a while to melt on the skin. Damp skin just helps ease it as your massaging it in and means you won't do your skin any damage by dragging the product over it. Once it's melted though it turns into more of an oil than a balm and it smoothly moves over your skin giving it a good cleanse and nourish.

I would say this is perfect for every kind of skin as it's nourishing and really works on the skin but it doesn't contain anything that would be too harsh or stripping on the skin. It doesn't smell fantastic but that is something I'm sure can be overlooked because it works so well as a product. Plus I've always believed that if it smells bad or tastes bad then it's working.

Available in Boots this only costs £8.99 full price but is currently on offer at £5.99.

Have any of you tried this? What did you think of this? Or do you have any hot cloth cleansers to recommend? Let me know in the comments.

Rimmel Does Matte Lips

Last year I started a series where I talk you through a brand their matte lip products. I started this as there was a distinct lack of matte lip products in certain brands and felt like the ones they do have don't recieve as much attention as they should. I've already done Loreal which you can find here and today I'm finally continuing this series with Rimmel.

Rimmel is another brand that doesn't have a large amount of matte lip products but the ones they do have are excedingly good quality.

First up you have their Kate Moss Matte Lipstick Collection. There are four shades in total and I own two of them. You have Shade 111 and Shade 107. They are both very dry in consistency when you apply them to the lips but that dry feeling doesn't translate on the lips when you're wearing them. It's almost as if there is a layer that you have to wear away when applying to get down to the creamy texture you get when you apply them. Finish wise you can feel them on the lips but they're not ultra drying or flaky looking. Shade 111 is a bright tomato red shade that looks perfect on a majority of skintones, especially fairer skintones during the summer months. Shade 107 is one of Rimmel's most popular shades. It's a deep berry almost burgundy shade that looks stunning on everyone. You may have seen on a few of the British Youtubers/Beauty Bloggers.

And the only other proper matte lip product is their Exaggerate Lip Liners. These are mechanical pencils that are very creamy to apply but dry down to a somewhat tacky matte finish which is obviously designed to grab and hold any lip colour you put over the top onto the lips. However they can be worn on their own and are very long lasting on the lips. There are a multitude of colours ranging from bright oranges to deep burgundies. I have the shade Red Diva, Under My Spell, Obsession, You're All Mine and EastEnd Snob.

As you can see these have a slanted tip to them which is supposed to aid application but sometimes are more cumbersome than helpful. However they are releasing them now with a more pointed tip which will be helpful with application. They are very creamy in texture but that creaminess can also mean they snap or break easily. They apply smoothly to the lips and make quick work of not only outlining the lips but filling them in entirely. If you have dry lips or chapped, flaky lips it's best to exfoliate them before using these as some of the shades can show every little imperfection on the lips. There is a range of matching lipsticks that you can wear alongside these but I've found that a lot of this colours work well with other branded lipsticks and alone as a lip colour. I'm really hoping they release more shades this year as I'm dying to get some more of these into my collection.

Overall Rimmel is lacking in matte lip products but I've noticed that a lot of brands are. Hopefully they release more in the future as not only matte lips a big thing this year but a lot of people prefer to use matte finishes when they go for a bolder lip. That being said though the matte lip products they do have are a brilliant quality and stand higher than some of the others I've tried. When and if Rimmel release new products there will be full reviews on the blog so keep your eyes peeled for them.

Is there any particular brand you'd like me to do next? Or do you have a product recommendation for me? Let me know in the comments.

April Favourites

 

Welcome to another Monthly Favourites. I honestly don't know where April went? Seriously one moment I'm posting my March Favourites and the next thing I know it's time to gather my April Favourites. So let's jump into it.

My first favourite this month is a product I've used on and off since Decemeber but have only started enjoying it properly this month. It's the Pixi Glow Tonic. Now I know it's a cult product but I'm usually slow to catch onto them. I'd tried this at the beginning of the year and wasn't too keen but now I've had a skincare shake up I've started to really love it. Containing Glycolic Acid, Ginseng and Aloe Vera this doesn't just tone and exfoliate my skin, it refreshes and gives it the pick me up it needs. I use this after I've taken my make up off to make sure my skin feels as fresh as possible before going in with the rest of my routine. I'm definitely going to be buying a full sized bottle of this when it runs out.

Up next is another skincare product. I've already feautred this in a favourites and done a full review but I can't help but feature it again. As I said I've done a skincare shake up and I've fallen in love with this moisturiser all over again. It's the Garnier Miracle Wake Me Up Moisturiser. A very mousse like consistency this moisturiser instantly wakes up the skin whilst simultaneously smoothing the skin upon application. It also soothes skin if you've used an exfoliator or treatment that's a bit too harsh. I love slapping this on my face after I've taking my make up off. It helps seal in my serum and makes gives my skin that mositure boost it occasionally needs.

Whilst we're on the topic of skincare let's talk about a new product I've been loving this month. This is the Nivea Creme Cleansing Face Wash the newest face wash from Nivea. This has the classic Nivea scent as well as the skin caring ingredients of the classic range. It's very creamy in consistency and is very gentle to apply to the skin. It cleanses the skin and leaves it feeling soft and smooth to the touch. As it's so gentle on the skin it's suitable for even sensitive skin and more than likely won't break you out. I'm definitely going to be giving the cleansing lotion a go as well and a full review will be coming soon. 

Now for the only lipstick I'm featuring this month. Honestly I've only had this a couple of weeks but I fell in love with it the moment I put this on my lips. It's the Rosie For Autograph lipstick in Silk Rose. It's more brown than Lady Rose which is very mauve in tone but it still looks nice on the lips. It's a good brown toned lipstick for people with fairer skintones. It's not a matte lipstick but it's not overly shiny or glossy looking. Ultra buttery to apply this lipstick and the others in the range are long wearing on the lips but not overly drying either. I'm definitely going to be getting a lot of wear out of this and the other shades I've picked up.

 And for my last favourite I couldn't just decide on one shade so I chose four. These are the Barry M Coconut Infusion Nail Paints. These are infused with coconut oil and water to hydrate the nail as you wear them. And I love them. My favourite shades are Tiki Hut, Flamingo, Bikini and Laguna. I was worried that the brighter shades would stain my nails as you're advised to go without a base coat but they didn't and my nails look a lot better than before I started wearing these. They have nice thick brushes that make it easier to apply and they dry nearly as quickly as the Speedy Quick Dry Range.

So that's it for my April Favourites. What were your favourites this month? Were any of them the same as mine? Let me know in the comments.

Review: Lottie London Solid Brush Cleaner

In the past when it's come to cleaning my brushes I've always been a firm believer that baby shampoo can do no wrong. I've used several big brand brush cleaners and was disappointed each time so I stuck with baby shampoo. And then I stumbled across this as I was browsing the make up aisles one day and of course, curiosity piqued I brought it.

If you're wondering what you're looking at, it's the Lottie London Solid Brush Cleanser. Beauty Blender do a similar product but that's only to be used on beauty blenders whereas this can be used on brushes as well.

All this product really is, is a small round bar of soap in a tub and that makes it sound less appealing as a product. However when you read the instructions on the back this could just become your beauty savious. Instead of having to use your hand or get a textured surface to wash your brushes on, all you have to do is swirl your brush repeatedly across the soap until your brush is clean. You can rinse it off and go in again, something I'd advise doing but it does truly clean your brushes. Containing Coconut Oil this will not only clean your brush and remove any bacteria built up inside but the coconut oil will soften brushes, perfect for any brushes that are slightly scratchy against the skin.

These are what my brushes looked beforehand. Some of these I use on a daily basis and some I reach for every now and again but they all needed a good wash. I was quite apprenhensive about using the solid cleanser on some of my denser brushes as I wasn't sure how well they would clean them. Side note: Make sure you take your normal brush cleanser with you as well, just in case.

I did let my brushes get dirtier than normal as I really wanted to put this product to the test. And I have to say it's not as bad as I was expecting. It didn't work immediately after the intial rinse but a couple of times of swirling around the soap and rinsing and it worked well. I was a little bit disgusted about the amount of make up it removed but I did leave them to get grubbier than normal to see if I could the best results.

 And this is what my brushes look like afterwards. These were probably the dirtiest brushes of the lot and as you can see the brush cleanser has worked wonders on them. It did take me repeating the process several times but the results were worth it. Normally when I wash my brushes there is still some residue left on the brushes once they're dry but this time around there was no residue left on any of them. It's easier to use the cleanser on the smaller less dense brushes but a little bit of patience will really help with the denser brushes.

Overall I'm impressed with this product. It's done what it claims to do on the package and left my brushes feeling uber soft and clean. Plus you can find it on the high street so it's purse friendly as well.

Have any of you tried this? Or have you tired anything that is better? Let me know in the comments.

Let's Talk About Glycolic Acid

Today I thought I'd try something different post-wise. Instead of talking about the latest beauty products I want to talk about one of my favourite skincare ingredients. An ingredient that is found in a lot of skincare products nowadays yet is something that is still isn't well known, especially on the high street. I'm talking about Glycolic Acid. It's one of my favourite skincare ingredients and today I thought I'd share with you what Glycolic Acid is if you've never used it before, my top products and tips.

Glycolic Acid is a Alpha-Hydroxy Acid known as a AHA. A AHA is used to exfoliate the skin and remove any dead skin cells. It loosens the bonds that holds your dead skin cells onto your skin and once they're removed you're left with healthier rejuvenated skin. It is one of the most commonly found AHA's in skincare products and can be found in different strengths. Most products on the market have a 5% concentration in them but you can find high strengths such as 10% and even 12%. If you're looking for a good glycolic product here are my Top 5.

 1. The Nip And Fab Glycolic Extreme Fix Night Pads. These pads have 5% Glycolic Acid in them as well as Salicylic Acid and Lactic Acid. These are to be used a treatment two to three times a week to exfoliate the skin. For people with sensitive skin I advise using these only once or twice a week depending on your sensitivity as they do make your skin tingle. And by tingle I mean you can feel them working. The day after you use these your skin is going to look and feel better. If you have any texture on your face it will feel diminished after one use and with continued use it will look and feel better each time. A slightly pricer product on the market but when you see how good the results are you definitely won't mind.

2. The Nip And Fab Glycolic Fix Pads. These are a lot tamer than the Extreme Fix Pads. Containing only 2% Glycolic Acid as well as Hyaluronic Acid and Blue Daisy, these pads are designed to gently exfoliate as well as plump up  and add moisture to the skin. They don't make the skin tingle with use so are they're more suited to sensitive skin. Using them every now and again won't make a difference to skin but using them twice a week will definitely make a difference to your skin. Using them alongside the Extreme Fix Pads though will make a significant difference to your skin. Texture will feel diminished, skin will look and feel softer and your complexion will look healthier and radiant. Not as expensive as the Extreme Fix Pads, these still can be pricey but if you're intimidated by a higher concentration of Glycolic Acid these would definitely be right up your street.

 3. The Clearly Youthful Glycolic Peel Off Mask. This mask is a clear liquid mask that you apply all over the face or in designated places to help exfoliate and rejuvinate the skin. It doesn't tell you how much Glycolic Acid is in it but from the results of this mask I believe it is somewhere near the 5% mark. This also contains Lactic Acid which is a common ingredient in most Glycolic Acid products. The peel off aspect makes this a lot easier to use as you don't have to worry about washing it off and it usually comes off in one piece.
4. Naturally Radiant Glycolic Overnight Peel. This isn't actually a peel. A peel is something you physhically peel off your face. This you wash off your face the next morning once it's sunk in. This is a overnight glycolic treatment which you apply the night before after you've applied your normal skincare routine and let it sink in as you sleep. Then the next morning you wash it off like you would a face wash or face mask. This is another product that doesn't give an exact amount of glycolic acid in it but from results from giving it a go, I'd have to say it is a pretty low amount. It does make skin feel softer and looks smoother but it's results are not as fantastic as some of the other products mentioned before.

5. Pixi Glow Tonic. This is a 5% Glycolic Toner. It's designed to be used after you've cleansed but before you've put your serum and moisturiser on. This contains Aloe Vera and Ginseng as well to help soothe and rejuvinate the skin at the same time. The glycolic acid in this whilst being the same concentration as the Extreme Fix Pads isn't as strong on the skin as they are. You still feel like you've used something on your skin but it doesn't make your skin tingle as much as the pads do. A small amount of this on a cotton pad is enough to do the whole face. After the rest of your skincare routine is done, you'll feel the effects of this toner. Skin feels smoother and softer and the products you use afterwards apply nicely to skin. If you're having trouble applying make up then this may help smooth skin and create a flawless base. There will be a full review of this on the blog soon but I like to use skincare products for a month before I write up a full review of it.

And now I've shown you my Top 5 Glycolic Acid products, I'd thought I'd share my top tips for using these products.

1. Most products that contain Glycolic Acid also contain Lactic Acid. Lactic Acid is the second most common AHA and is suitable for people with sensitvie skin. This is what makes most products that contain glycolic acid suitable for people with more sensitive skin even if you have to use it less often than people with normal skin.
2. If you use products containing both glycolic and lactic acid then it's important to use a sunscreen. It's important to use one anyway but the use of lactic acid makes skin more sensitive to the sun. So it's important to add a sunscreen to your routine if you don't use one already.
3. Don't overuse these products. Especially if you have sensitive skin. Overuse of these products will probably do more harm to your skin than good. If you find yourself overusing these products just put them somewhere where you won't automatically reach for them and focus on putting anything missing like moisture back into your skin.
4. Just because it says do so many times a week doesn't mean you have to follow the insturctions religiously. If you have very sensitive skin and it says use twice a week but that's too much for your skin then only use it once a week. It's your skin, do what your skin needs.
5. Look around. Sure the higher end skincare products are going to give your skin what it needs but you can find some gems out on the high street as well. The Clearly Youthful Peel Off Mask is under a fiver but the results are phenominal. It's definitely worth a look around to see what's on the market.

So that's it for my chat on Glycolic Acid. Did any of you find this useful? Have any of you got any product recommendations for me? Let me know in the comments.

Review: Maybelline Lip Liners

Last week I talked about the Loreal Lip Liners that I brought when I went on a liner splurge a little while ago. So today I'm going to talk about the Maybelline Lip Liners, consider this the second installment of my lip liner splurge reviews.

Just like the Loreal Liners these are a wooden pencil liner instead of a mechanical liner. Mechanical liners aren't that popular on the high street and if you look around you'll notice most brands have wooden pencil type lip liners. I was always a bit wary of pencil types as I though they'd be harsh and drag on the lips but with the ones I've tried from the high street I've been pleasently surprised.

Maybelline Lip Liners are creamy to apply, don't hurt the lips or drag and can be applied very lightly or full out on the lips. I picked up three shades out of the six they offer. I have Hollywood Red, Midight Plum and Pleasure Me Red. I can't decide on which is my favourite out of the three as all of them are brilliant colours. I think if I had to choose then it would be the two reds, because they're not like a lot of the reds on the market. Instead of having one tomato red shade for the more orange reds and one darker red for all the other red shades they have two slightly darker red shades that can be worn under a multitude of red shades. And the same stands for the plum liner as it's the only plum/berry shade they offer.

Using these to fill in the lips is brilliant, they're creamy and opaque in one swipe but if you're looking into filling you entire lip in then these are still amazing. Instead of going ultra matte, drying and dragging on the lips like other liners can do these don't. They stay creamy as you apply them and they don't become ultra matte on the lips once you've filled your lip in. It makes them perfect to wear on their own or under a lipstick.

What I like the most about these lip liners is that if you're the kind that likes to wear the matching lipstick then you can with Maybelline. Hollywood Red, Midnight Plum and Pleasure Me Red are all lipstick shades in their Color Sensational Lipstick Range. I don't have the matching lipsticks but they are available as an option if you like to match your liner to your lipstick.

Overall I'm really impressed so far with these liners. I won't be picking up the other shades as they are more neutral and not me but if you're a neutral girl then there is that option for you.

Have any of you tried these? Did you like them? Or do you have a high street brand liner to recommend? Let me know in the comments.

Review: Barry M Coconut Infusion Nail Paints

Now I know you're probably fed up of my Barry M Nail Polish Reviews but I can't help myself. Barry M is one of my favourite nail polish ranges on the high street and I can't help but pick up every new range they release. And their latest release is a very interesting release as well.

These are the Barry M Coconut Infusion Nail Paints. They are infused with Coconut Oil and Water to help hydrate the nail whilst you're wearing the polishes. There are nine shades in total ranging from brights to neutrals and of course I just had to get them all. 

First up you have the five bright shades in the range. The bright shades in this range are called Laguna, Bikini, Flamingo, Aloha and Surfboard. These shades are probably my favourite out of the range especially now the weather is warming up and people are starting to embrace brighter nail colours. Surfboard is the most interesting shade out of the five in my opinion as it's a beautiful purple lilac shade that looks almost neutral in the bottle but does actually gives a pop of colour on the nail. Laguna and Bikini are the two I've worn the most as I'm a girl who like greens and blues but I'm sure I can find a way to work Flamingo and Aloha.

And then you have four of neutral shades. Yes I know they all look very similar but really there are differences between them when you put them on the nail. You have Starfish, Tiki Hut, Sunkissed and Skinny Dip. Tiki Hut is probably the most interesting shade out of the four of them, it's a mixture between a caramel shade and a chocolate shade that is going to look beautiful on the nails. And if you're looking into doing white nails this summer but not sure if they're going to work on you then Skinny Dip is that perfect off white shade that will ease you gently into that trend.

When it comes to formula these are pretty interesting. There is no need for a basecoat with these colours not because they're certain not to stain but because apparently it helps the ingredients nourish and hydrate the nails more. Surprisngly these are very thick in formula, even the lighter shades which can sometimes be thin and somewhat streaky when applied. They come with the new flat square ended brush that Barry M are putting in all their new polishes. It means they cover the nail in one sweep and makes doing your nails quicker and easier.

Once dry, nails have opaque colour and a high shine. I know a top coat is necessary to keep the lenght of a manicure but if you don't have time or can't be bothered to apply one then these colours have enough shine to give the look of wearing a top coat. I did find that if you use thicker consistency top coats then these do peel/chip on the nail quicker but with thinner top coats they last a lot longer.

Overall I really like these polishes. However I know these won't be to everyone's liking due to the shade range but if you're a big fan of brights or of neutrals I really recommend you check these out.

Have any of you tried these? Did you like them? Or were they not your cup of tea? Let me know in the comments.

Top 3: Body Scrubs

When it comes to exfoliating my body then I'm all for those full on scrubs that you can practically feel removing your skin. But it doesn't mean I'm not for those that are gentler on the skin and less likely to rub you raw. And in my body scrub collection I have a mixture of both so today I thought I'd take you through my Top 3 Body Scrubs.

My ultimate favourite body scrub has to be the Soap And Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub. Firstly it smells divine; for those who haven't smelt it, it smells like lime. It's a very addictive smell, I always spend a good five minutes smelling this before even applying it to my body. And secondly it is a bloody good scrub. Literally after the first use of this scrub my body felt smoother and softer than I've ever felt before. It feels almost like a gel when you first apply this to your body but when you start to rub it over your skin it loses it's gel like consistency leaving all the exfoliating beads on your skin. This can be quite a rough scrub if your a bit rough when it comes to scrubs but I'm sure with a gentler hand it can be less abrasive on the skin. Once this is washed off the skin you're left with smooth, soft skin that will easily absorb moisturiser and stays looking moisturised for longer.

Up next is another scrub that smells divine. It's the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Body Scrub. It's a lot less abrasive than the Sugar Crush Scrub but gives you the same results. Packed with cocoa butter, shea butter and vitamin e, this scrub not only exfoliates the skin but nourishes it at the same time. It's a lot creamier in consistency compared to the first scrub and a little bit does go a long way but because it comes in a smaller tub I find I use more of this compared to my Sugar Crush Scrub. The smell alone drew me into this product, the strong cocoa sent fills the bathroom well after you've closed the tub. I also like to mix this scrub with the Sugar Crush Scrub so that my skin gets that nice exfoliation but also gets some nourishment at the same time. Plus the two combined is drool worthy scent wise.

And the third scrub I find myself reaching for quite a bit is the Boots Extracts Brazil Nut Scrub. This is the most gentle of the three scrubs but you still get a good result with it. It's perfect for people who have slightly sensitive skin or who's skin are irritated by harsher scrubs. More of a cream consistency than the others this is very easy to rub over the skin. Yes, it doesn't leave arms feeling as smooth as the Sugar Crush Scrub does but if you're in a rush and don't mind if it's not perfect then this is the scrub for you. It smells lovely and if Brazil Nut isn't your kind of scent then no worries as these come in a variety of scents ranging from Strawberry to Cocoa to Almond (it smells like marzipan).

So that's it for my Top 3 Scrubs. How do they compare to your favourte Scrubs? Are any of them the same as mine? Or do you have one you think I'd like? Let me know in the comments.

Review: Loreal Lip Liners

A little while ago I went on a bit of a lip liner binge and have been trying them out ever since. I love lip liners to help keep a colour in place or just wearing all over the lips as my look for the day. And of course lip liners are a big thing and every brand has their own variation of them of the market but it can still be difficult to find a good lip liner. Some I've tried have been too hard, dragged across the lips and one even scratched my lip to the point of bringing the blood to the surface.

And then I discovered the Loreal Lip Liners. I'd seen them in shops for ages but not being that interested in liners then I didn't pay them any attention. However as soon as I started to really look into lip liners in shops I noticed these ones. Before I tried these lip liners from Loreal I avoided wooden pencil style liners completely purely because they were all ridiculously hard and were hurting my lips rather than helping my lips. So you can probably understand why I was wary to try these.

I was impressed by the feel of these liners when I swatched them on the back of my hand but was completely blown away when I applied these to my lips. These were even creamier to apply to the lips than some mechanical lip liners I've tried. They glided right onto the lips and didn't drag when I filled in my entire lip. When they set they were slightly drier than other lip liners but in the long run it didn't effect the way my lipstick wore over the top.

My only problem with this range is the lack of colours. There are only about six shades in the range as well as a transparent liner. The two I have are Intense Plum and Scarlet Rouge. Intense Plum is my favourite of the two shades as it goes well under the majority of my berry toned lipsticks. Saying that doesn't mean I don't like Scarlet Rouge, I just happen to have another red lip liner I prefer more.

Have any of you tried these? What did you think? Do you have any lip liners you'd recommend trying? Let me now in the comments. 

Review: Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Treatments

Haircare isn't something I talk about a lot on here but I've been giving these a go lately and thought you all deserved to know the greatness these pots contain. These are the Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Treatments, each one is specifically designed to treat a problem you could have with you hair. There are pots for dry hair, coloured hair, dull hair and normal hair. The two I have are aimed at taming frizzy hair and treating fragile hair.

I chose these two pots for a multitude of reasons. Firstly they were exactly what my hair needed/needs. Secondly they smell amazing and lastly if they were as good as my shampoo and conditioner combination then they were winners. And I can safely say that they are even better than my shampoo and conditioner combination. I use the The Honey Treasures Range from Ultimate Blends, it's aimed at damaged and fragile hair. It's really helped strengthen my hair and I can't see my hair agreeing with another combo as much as it does this one. That's why I picked in the hair treatment. Theoretically it should help strengthen my hair and give it that nice shine that I sometimes lack.

The second pot is The Sleek Smoother. As well as having slightly damaged hair, I have very thick hair that goes quite frizzy once it's washed. Well not anymore. Ever since I started using this treatment my hair has been sleeker and easier to work with after washing. It contains coconut oil and cocoa butter to help smooth the hair particles as well as nourish and give it that sleek soft look.

When it comes to using these products they're some of the most simple products to use. Once you've washed, shampooed and conditioned your hair then you pop a scoop of this into your hair and leave it in for three to five minutes before washing it out and styling it as you wish. Personally I like to put this through my mid lengths and ends and then pop it up into a top knot. During the five mintues I leave it in for I usually just potter about the house and do the odd chore.

You don't notice anything whilst your hair is still we but once you put the hairdryer on it then you see how well this treatments worked. I always advise blow drying your hair upside down to give it a volume boost and whilst your drying your hair if it normally becomes very frizzy and unmanagable then it won't with this product. It will look smoother and sleeker and will even feel softer to touch. You can even run a brush through and it won't leave hair static or fly-away. Definitely a winner for me.

Overall I do prefer the sleek restorer more than the honey treasures pot purely for the fact that it makes my hair more managable for every day. However that doesn't mean it's not a good treatment. There are so many to choose from for different hair types then it's really down to you to decide what is good for you hair and what isn't. But if I do advise something it would be to go and smell them all, they're divine.

Have any of you tried these? What did you think? Let me know in the comments. 

What's In My Everyday Make Up Bag

When I first saw this make up bag in Primark I had to have it. And to begin with I just popped the odd product I had lying around but then it turned into putting my daily make up in there so it was all in one place. And since then I've just used it day in, day out to keep my make up together and today I thought I'd share what I have in my everyday make up bag.

Before we start I must say that I keep an excess amount of the same product in this bag. And the first product I like to have options with is foundation. The two I keep in this bag are the Maybelline Dream Velvet and the Miss Sporty Instaglow. The Dream Velvet is a good foundation if you want a buildable coverage that lasts all day long. A soft gel formula foundation this is perfect for people with oily skin and people without aswell. I did a full review which you can find here. The Instaglow is a light to medium coverage foundation that blurs skin into looking like it has an instagram filter applied to it. It's not the best foundation on the market but I was testing it out for work and it just took it's place in my bag. A full review of it will be going up at some point.

Next up is concealers and this is one where I do go a bit extreme with. I don't just have one, I have four. I do admit that I do use these all on a regular basis. There is the Maybelline The Eraser Eye, Collection Lasting Perfection, Barry M Light Reflecting and Rimmel's Wake Me Up. The most used of the bunch are the Maybelline and the Collection. I use them both under my eyes and around my face on a daily basis. They are by far my favourite concealers on the market as they give great coverage, don't crease and don't wear away as the day goes on. Barry M's and Rimmel's concealers are both light reflecting concealers and whilst they're nice and work well on the skin they can leave skin looking glittery, something you don't want all over your face.

When it comes to pressed powder or powders of any kind I only keep one in my bag. This is the Rimel Clarifying Powder in Translucent. It's an okay powder and works to set my make up but it's not one that I think I'd purchase another one when this runs out. Before this I did keep my MUA Hydro Powder in this bag but it unfortunately met a dusty end when it fell off my bed and shattered.

If you thought I kept too many concealers in my make up bag then my mascaras will be totally over the top. Yes I keep five different mascaras in my bag but in my defence I do use them all on a regular basis. They're all aimed at what I'm feeling make up wise that day. The Maybelline Go Colossal Leather Black and the Barry M Showgirl mascaras are my two go to mascaras when I want a fluttery, volumised every day lash. They both have tapered bristle brushs that really fan lashes out. And then if I want something more dramatic I go for either the Maybelline Push Up Drama, Maybelline Lash Sensational or the Pur Minerals Volume Vixen. They all have plastic bristle brushes that give a more defined, volumised look that is usually more suited to the evening. However if I'm feeling a bit more dramatic with my make up during the day I opt for one of these. And of course with my mascaras comes my eye lash curler. This is just a simple Primark eye lash curler that really does give my lashes a good curl that doesn't droop during the day. Plus I like how the handles don't feel like they're going to slip out of my fingers when I'm giving my lashes that extra oomph.

Surprsingly when it comes to lip products in my make up bag there are only a few. The ones I reach for the most are the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks. They are the best liquid lipsticks I've tried and I'm definitely going to be purchasing some more shades as soon as possible. I have a mini set that includes the shades Beso, Baci and Ricco. Beso is my most worn shade being a bright red that dries down to a beautiful matte finish. To go along with Beso I have the Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in Red Diva. This can be worn by itself or under lipsticks, most of the time I wear it on it's own as they are so creamy and easy to apply. My other lip combo that I keep in the bag are my Gosh Lip Liner in Raspberry Dream and the Kate Moss for Rimmel lipstick in 107. This is my favourite plummy/berry toned lip shade and I'm constantly reaching for these.

And now it's onto the tools I keep in my make up bag. Before I got my bag I used about ten brushes everytime I did my make up but now I've narrowed it down to 5. My first two brushes are my two most used brushes. One is from H&M and is an angled buffing brush and the second is the F103, a stippling brush. These I use on a daily basis to attempt to give myself a flawless base. The angled buffing brush is a brilliant brush and didn't cost nearly as much as some of my others. For powder I use either my Real Techniques Cheek Brush or my B Powder Brush. And of course I have to have a spoolie for my brows. Yet again this is from H&M and I'm so impressed with the quality of their brushes.

And of course I wouldn't be a beauty junkie if I didn't have at least two beauty blenders in my bag. Please excuse the fact they're dirty, I did use them to get ready this morning. I have two and neither of them are from the actual Beauty Blender Brand. The top one is from B and the second one I picked up reduced from Cosmopolitan. I like my Cosmopolitan blender to use under my eyes as it has a bit more shape to help really blend in concealer or any product that you put under there.

The last thing in my make up bag may shock some of you as I'm so against using facial wipes but these are here not for my face. These are in there to remove any excess foundation from the back of my hand or lipstick if it doesn't look right. I've tried a few different brands but I've found I can only get along with the Simple Facial Wipes or the B Quick Facial Wipes. At the moment I've not got any Simple Wipes so I'm working my way through this pack of B Wipes. But don't worry, I'm not using them to cleanse my face.

So that's what's in my everyday make up bag. What's in your everyday make up bag? Do you have any of the same products as me? Let me know in the comments. 

Review: B Essence Lotion

When B Beauty released their Essence Lotion I was slightly confused as to what it did and therefore just passed it off as another way to make money. But I've soon found myself well beyond wrong. After having kept looking at it for a while I took the plunge and brought it. And I'm so glad I did.

If you don't know what an essence is, it's a thin fluid that's designed to be used after you're cleanser and toner to give skin that extra boost of moisture and allows serums and moisturisers to sink better into the skin afterwards. Yes they seem like a faff and add just another step into what is probably a long already routine but it can seriously change your skin.

This essence lotion from B is a thin semi clear liquid designed to give skin a moisture boost after cleansing. Packed with Allatonin, Algae Extract and Hyaluronic Acid, this essence helps soften, smooth and retexturise skin as well as giving skin a radiance that can sometimes be lacking in skin.

Intially this did nothing for me skin and actually broke me out but after a month of use I can safely say that I can't go without using this product now. After I've double cleansed my face both morning and evening I pour some of this onto my hands and pat it gently over my face, repeatedly patting until it's soaked in. Now I say patting as you can not rub this in, it has to be patted in otherwise it will dry your skin out and you'll end up back at stage one.

When it came to seeing results from this product it took a while but when I finally saw them I was astounded. I've always struggled with some texture along the bottom of my cheeks and my jawline that no amount of mask, peel or exfoliator could get rid off. But this essence lotion managed to diminish to begin with and now with an added step of Glycolic Acid in my daily routine has helped to completely get rid of any texture on those parts of my face. It has also helped with my skin's radiance and redness. My redness is diminished and easier to cover with make up and my skin looks healthier with or without make up. I seriously can't see myself going without this anytime soon.

If you have extremely sensitive skin then I would advise being a bit wary with this product. If you did want to try it then I'd say use it only once a day more preferrably at night than in the morning. Just because it broke me out once and then worked in harmony with my skin doesn't mean it's going to do the same with your skin. Everyone's skin is different and if you can throw anything at your skin then go for it but if you're skin is sensitive to new products then I'd say approach this with caution.

Overall this is a fantastic product and if you're feeling that your skincare is missing something then definitely give it a go. I can safely say I'm going to go through a lot of bottles of this.

Have any of you tried this? Did you like it? Or did it not agree with your skin? Have you any other essence recommendations I should try? Let me know in the comments.

Review: Revlon Volume and Length Mascara

It's still only the beginning of the year but brands have already been inundating us with new launches, especially with mascara. And as much as I'd love to try them all out I only have two eyes so I cut it down to two. I've already done my Maybelline Push Up Drama Review which you can find here but I thought it time I write my review on my other new release masacara choice.

It was quite hard to choose one of their mascaras as they've released five that all aim to do something different to your lashes. Whilst the lengthening mascara appealed to me because it's green packaging and length is what my lashes need, I knew that mascara alone wouldn't suffice my needs. So I went with the blue lidded volume and length mascara which I hoped would give my lashes that long fluttery look I love. 

What first appealed to me with this mascara was the thick curved bristle brush that looked a lot like my Maybelline Go Colossal Leather Black Mascara. However I found it to be very disappointing as a brush. Instead of gripping my lashes and pushing them upwards to help hold the curl they left them looking flat and spiky. I also found that the brush malted every other use, there would be fibre looking bits stuck to the end of the lashes that needed to be removed as they had a habit of flaking off onto the cheeks. Normally a malting brush wouldn't be a bother but because it wasn't working how I hoped it would work, this one was very disappointing.

When it comes to formula, it doesn't get much better really. What was advertised as a lengthening and volumising formula was really a thin, practically non exisitent formula that barely coated lashes. But what did coat the lashes was ridiculously hard to remove and would appear under the lower lash line the next morning no matter how hard you tried to remove it. I'm not entirely sure if there are fibres in this mascara but it does look like that on the lashes from certain angles.

Overall this mascara has been nothing but disappointing. I'm not sure if the other mascaras in the range are as bad as this one but for me the volume and length mascara is a big no no. I  much prefer the Maybelline Push Up Drama Mascara and my old time favourite Maybelline Go Colossal Leather Black Mascara.

Have any of you tried this? Did you find it as bad as I did? Are any of the others as disappointing? Let me know in the comments.