Why I Can't Wait To Say Goodbye To Summer

I like many other people am counting down the days until it's Autumn. Autumn/Winter is my favourite time of the year, I feel like it's when I'm at my best and that's more than okay with me. But that also means saying goodbye to Summer, something a lot of people don't want to do just yet. However I can not wait to see the back of Summer and today I thought I'd talk you through some of the reasons I can't wait to say goodbye Summer and Hello Autumn.

The Weather: The main reason I can't wait to say goodbye to Summer is also saying goodbye to the rollercoaster weather we're having at the moment. We started Summer with a blistering heatwave that made every move had work. I couldn't sleep, eat or even move without breaking out into an unladylike sweat that made me grumpy, snappy and just unpleasent to be around. Then it seemed to be cooling down and everything wasn't such a burden anymore before it skyrocketed back up this weekend and left us with a layer of humid air which is worse than the aforementioned blistering temperatures. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a Winter baby or if I just don't get on with heat that I find the colder weather Autumn brings is the weather that makes me thrive and my productivity skyrockets.

Summer Clothes: I'm not the most body confident person so having to wear as little as humanly possible to stay cool during 32C heatwaves both indoors and outdoors wasn't my idea of a good Summer. Sure I wore shorts and strappy tops but I'm much more comfortable in sweatpants and oversized sweat tops. And there were times when getting dressed was more hassle than it was worth. Which is one reason I can't wait to say hello to Autumn. I'm much more in my comfort zone during the colder months and find it so much easier to put together cosy yet hopefully cute outfits without worrying if people are staring at my curvier figure.

Make Up: Now this may sound like a very vain reason for wanting Summer over but I can not wait for those months where my make up doesn't slide off my face as soon as I step outside my front door. There have been a good few weeks where I've gone free of make up because it's futile trying to keep it in place for longer than five minutes. Not that I'm uncomfortable in my make up free face, I love not wearing make up and letting my skin breathe but in the name of my job and the joys of having good make up days I do prefer wearing make up. And during the colder months I find I get the most out of my extensive lipstick collection. And because of my dark hair and fair skintone I find that I suit the darker tones that are associated with the colder months and

Halloween, Birthday and Christmas: And my last reason for wishing Summer gone is that three of my favourites times of year all occur from September onwards. Apart from celebrating my best friend's birthday during Summer, nothing really exciting happens. However when September rolls around it becomes a countdown to Halloween, my birthday and everyone's favourite Christmas. And again my productivity around this time goes into overdrive. And for someone who get's very frustrated when she's feeling unmotivated, it's heavenly. So as soon as September 1st hits I'll be counting down until it's socially exceptable to decorate for Halloween and post all kinds of Halloween themed posts, keep your eyes peeled this year, I've got some exciting ones planned.

So this may make me sound like a miserable cow but I'm just not that big a fan of Summer. Sure I like the longer days, the brighter days which makes photos look gorgeous and the general happiness a bit of sun brings out but I'm more than ready now for Autumn, cosy jumpers, pumpkin spiced lattes and Christmas (yes I went there).

Monthly Favourites: August

 

Usually I don't struggle to think of products that have been favourites this month but for August I'm really struggling.

The first thing I've been loving this month is from Simple. Their new Water Boost Micellar Water has changed my opinion on micellar waters after struggling to find one that works well with my skin. Packed full of hydrating plant extracts and minerals, this works to hydrate the skin whilst you cleanse and has left my skin feeling cleansed, refreshed and hydrated after every use. And my favourite part about this product is that it doesn't break me out. A lot of micellar waters break me out and cause those horrid under the skin spots that linger around for ages. This one doesn't do that and actually leaves my skin feeling clean where others have left what feels like a film over my skin which then makes it feel like the rest of my products aren't sinking into my skin.

This next product has been one product I can't get enough of and can't stop recommending it to everyone. The Naturally Radiant Glycolic Tonic is a 5% glycolic solution that tones skin and works to even out skin tone and texture. This reminds me an awful lot of the Pixi Glow Tonic, not only in formula but result wise as well. After just one use my skin felt rejuvenated, smoother to the touch and any uneven skintone was reduced. Perfect as a toner after cleansing, this tonic really refreshes the skin but doesn't dry it out or leave it feeling tight or irritated. A full review of this will be coming soon as I just can't keep how amazing this to myself.

An oldie but a goodie that I've been loving this month is the B Essence Lotion. This I use after cleansing and usually in place of a toner. It's lightweight consistency, hydrating formula not only gives my skin a hydration boost but also refreshes, rejuvenates and soothes my skin. I've been using this every evening as part of my evening skincare routine, to create a base before I layer my other products over top. And it works so well. After every use my skin looks even, soothed, softer to the touch and glowy. It also helps reduce the appearance of any redness I have which is usually my biggest skin bug bear. And as the colder months approach I can see myself using this even more to combat any dryness that seasonal changes could bring.

Make up wise this month I haven't really deviated from my usual favourites. Most of the month I've been wearing my Rosie For Autograph Sheer Finish Complexion Enhancer but on the days when I haven't been wearing that I've been reaching for another oldie but a goodie. Now if you've been reading my blog for the last couple of years you'll recognise this as a foundation I couldn't stop talking about in my very early blogging days. The Maxfactor Facefinity foundation is a buildable medium coverage foundation that covers imperfection without looking like a mask and still allows skin to breathe whilst giving it a luminous healthy glow. I've really enjoyed wearing this, this month as it's lightweight enough for the hotter days we've had but it still gives my skin great coverage. And it stays in place, it doesn't budge even when it's slightly humid and I've been running around like a headless chicken, it just stays in place. If it wasn't for the fact that I will be diving right back into my fuller coverage foundations as soon as September hits I'd have said this would have easily been featured in my next empties post.

A new make up release that I can't get enough of this month is the Loreal Paradise Mascara. Duped as being better then Too Faced's iconic Better Than Sex mascara, this mascara has really given my lashes a new lease of life. The tapered bristle brush gives my lashes an instant boost whenever I use this. Fanned out, volumised, lengthened and defined, this mascara does everything and more for my lashes. And it isn't just a quick boost, my lashes once it's applied stay in the same place all day long with no flaking, smudging or drooping at all. Check out my full review to see some before and after pictures.

The penultimate thing I've loved this month was going to the Zoo. I haven't been to the Zoo in years and wanted to do something more with my wages this month than just spend it on make up and skincare. So a couple of weekends ago me, my friend Lauren and her two children went down to Marwell Zoo. And it was amazing. We were so close to so many animals and saw so many beautiful animals that a lot of zoos don't have. My personal favourite was the Amur Leopard where we spent ages taking tons of pictures but being so close to Giraffes, Zebras, Wallabies and Cheetahs was amazing. I took so many pictures that day and even though it rained a couple of times, it didn't dampen the spirit of the day. Check out my Instagram to see some of my favourite pictures from the day.

 And my final favourite this month was one I very nearly forgot about and I don't know how I managed to do so. I went to see Atomic Blonde with Jasmin for her birthday and it was amazing. One of the best films I've seen this year, Charlize Theron killed it. She was such a badass, her wardrobe was phenomenal and the whole strong female lead made this an instant favourite for me. James Mcavoy and Sofia Boutella were brilliant supporting characters, I personally see great things in the horizon for Boutella. She was only a minor character but she had a presence about her on screen that not many up and coming actresses have. And then there was the soundtrack. It was phenomenal, I couldn't stop humming half the songs after we left the theater and actually have been listening to them on repeat on Spotify. If you haven't seen it and can still catch in cinemas then I highly recommend you do so. If you've missed it, buy it when it comes out on DVD, you won't be disappointed.

Review: Loreal Paradise Extatic Mascara

When a brand releases a new mascara I'm normally not fussed whether I buy one or not. I'm happy with my favourites in the shape of the Loreal Miss Hippie and Maybelline Push Up Angel. However when I saw that Loreal were going to be releasing their new Paradise Mascara I knew I just had to snap one up.

Duped as better than Two Faced's Better Than Sex mascara, this new release looks extremely similar both packaging and brush wise. The Paradise mascara claims to have an ultra soft brush and Castor oil infused formula that gives lashes a boost as you wear it.

 The dense bristle packed barrel shaped brush distributes products evenly along the lashes and grips each one individually to give them a defined, lengthened and volumised look. One swipe of this brush gives even the straightest of lashes a lifted defined look and a second swipe will only increase the volume and definition, meaning you can easily build up a stunning lash look with very little work.

The formula is a lot wetter than other Loreal mascaras I've tried and it does have a tendency to smudge onto eyelids if you're a little slap happy with application. It's easily rectified but is slightly annoying if you're getting ready in a hurry. But once it dries on the lashes, it takes a good oil based eye make up remover to remove it and even then you may have to go in a couple times to really make sure it's all gone.

I really like this mascara. I have really stubborn lashes that don't like holding a curl no matter what mascara I use or how many times I curl them before application. However this require very little work or effort to give my lashes a volumised, defined look that actually stays in place all day long. The top picture is what my lashes look before any mascara and the bottom picture is what my lashes look like after just one coat of this mascara. I'm amazed at the difference it not only makes to my lashes but to the overall look of my eye. My eyes look bigger, defined and more awake, something that a lot of mascaras don't help with at all. And they stayed like that all day long whereas other mascaras would have drooped and dropped the curl within a couple of hours wear.

My only bug bear with this product is the price. At £11.99 a pop it seems a little steep for a drugstore/high street mascara. However price rises seems to be a theme throughout drugstore brands so I suppose I should have seen it coming. That being said though I wouldn't let the price discourage you from purchasing it. It's still cheaper than the Too Faced Better Than Sex and gives results which are very similar or even better than it. Whilst I don't like the price I'm not entirely against paying out for it because the results are brilliant and for a straight, stubborn lashed woman like myself it's a miracle worker. Definitely check it out when you're next at a Loreal stand, it's definitely one of the better beauty releases of the year.

Review: Alpha H Liquid Gold

If there is one skincare ingredient I can't get enough of it's Glycolic Acid. It's retexturising and rejuvenating properties work beautifully with my skin and I can never get over how good my skin looks after I use a product that contains Glycolic Acid. And that's where today's product comes in.

Alpha H's Liquid Gold was a product I'd head a lot about (thanks Caroline Hirons) but had never really had the chance to try until last Christmas when I recieved a deluxe sample size in my M&S Advent Calender. Never before have I fallen in love with a product so quickly. From the first use this became a holy grail product for me.

It may have something to do with it's high Glycolic Acid content (5% I believe) that works to exfoliate, retexturise and rejuvenate skin with every use. I've used a lot of Glycolic Acid based products before but none of them have worked in this manner and shown almost instantaneous results. Applied over clean skin almost as a toner this works to reduce any texture on the skin, even out skin tone, plump skin, diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles whilst leaving skin with a luminous dewy glow. It's hypoallergenic, fragrance free and suitable for all skin types, even sensitive/reactive skins.

I use this twice a week in place of a toner. A little goes a long way and you can feel it working on the skin as you apply it. I occasionally get a lot of texture around my jawline and cheeks, and this works to reduce or completely irradicate the look of it on my skin. And the day after my skin looks even better, it looks hydrated, even in tone and has a dewy glow to it that one usually finds from a dewy finish foundation. Any skincare or make up I apply, applies so nicely on my skin and my skin doesn't feel rough or uneven to the touch. And unless my skin is extremely hormonal or going through a bad spell the texture doesn't come back and if it does then it's not as severe.

If you've use products such as the Pixi Glow Tonic or Nip And Fab's Glycolic Fix Pads but need something a bit more substantial to work with your skin then I'd say this would be right up your street. Powerful yet not astringent or drying, this will change how your skin looks and feels from the first use. It doesn't cause break outs or irritation and can be used in conjunction with the rest of your skincare routine. Sure it's a bit pricier than other Glycolic based products on the market but when you see the results you'll be grateful you paid those few extra pounds. Whilst the price tag still makes me squirm I won't hesistate to repurchase this when it runs out.

Shop My Stash: Make Up

When it comes to make up I find myself always reaching for the same products, day in, day out. So when I did my make up declutter a little while ago I picked out some products that I'd completely forgotten were in my collection and put them to the side so that at some point I could give them all a go at once, or one at a time. And for the last few weeks I've been swapping out some of my usual go to products with these to see if I still like it or if it's not the product for me anymore.

Primer is an essential part of my make up routine. Without it my make up is gone in couple of hours. I absolutely adore the Maybelline SuperStay Primer, it works really well with both my skin and the foundations I place over top. However in my collection I found an unopened bottle of the Maxfactor Facefinity Primer. A couple of years ago this was my go to primer because of it's creamy texture, something harder to find amongst the silicone based primers. However I'd forgotten about it as I discovered other primers that were substantially better. And there came a day when I ran out of my Maybelline and I was in need of a primer. So I grabbed this and applied it the same as I would my Maybelline. Immediately there was a very obvious difference between the two. Where the Maybelline was tacky in a good way in which you knew it was going to grip and hold onto any base product, this one was just plain sticky and didn't grab onto the foundation I applied over top. In fact it made my base look patchy and uneven, something that took a lot of work to fix. Whilst I my have enjoyed it back then, I certainly won't be reaching for it again any time soon.

Alongside the Facefinity Primer I also found an unopened bottle of the Facefinity Foundation. Now throw it back a couple of years again and the two were my go to combination. So when I was swapping products out in place of others I thought I'd give this a go. And I really like it. Medium to a buildable full coverage, this foundation allows my skin to look like skin whilst still covering any imperfections I may have. And it lasts all day. It doesn't fade unevenly or look patchy when it comes to removing it, something a few of my foundations have a tendency to do. The only downfall of this product is that it has a habit of oxidising on my skin. So it'll look nice when first applied and for the first half an hour to an hour but after that it does darken slighltly on my skin which depending on the rest of my make up and outfit can look very obvious. Other than that though I could easily see it being added to my permanent foundation collection.

A concealer I very nearly forgot about comes from Rimmel. Their Wake Me Up Concealer used to be a must have for me but just seemed to fade out of my rotation of products as I tried different concealers that the market had to offer. However I picked it out again recently and thought I'd give it a go. I knew that it didn't have the best coverage so I decided to use it on a good skin day. And I regretted it almost immediately. Now I know this product has light reflecting particles that makes skin look more awake but wherever on my face I had applied this looked like I'd doused it in a shit ton of glitter. It was horrendous and I had to do some serious correction before I was happy enough to leave the house. Definitely one I won't be reaching for again.

A setting powder that I had only purchased at the beginning of the year but totally forgot about comes from MUA. Their Transparent Pressed Setting Powder is actually a brilliant powder for those with fairer skintones that struggle to find powders to match their skintone. White in the pan but undetectable on the skin, this not only sets make up in place but leaves skin feeling silky and smooth to the touch without a single hint of cake face. Plus there is no flashback from using this and you can easily use this under the eyes without it looking ghostly or obvious that it's there.

Now I didn't think I had any mascaras that weren't ridiculously past their prime or just plain horrendous until I stumbled across this unopened and very old Rimmel Mascara. The Scandaleyes Flex mascara has been out of circulation for that long that I don't even know what it claims to do. What I do know is that I really like this. The tapered bristle brush distributes product evenly throughout lashes and leaves them looking defined and volumised without being over the top. I really like this for a daytime mascara but would go for something different when it comes to evenings.

This next one was a pleasent surprise to me. I have tons of the Gosh Matte Lipsticks and didn't even realise that I owned this shade. This is the shade Raisin and for a while I'd actually been thinking of buying this shade and had swatched it a couple of times when I was in Superdrug, so finding it already in my collection was a nice surprise. I really like the Gosh Matte Lipsticks as they're creamy, don't feel powdery on the lips, last a long time and don't leave lips feeling like prunes after you've worn it. I haven't worn this shade yet but I'm going to wear it at some point this week, after I've giving a new Maybelline lipstick a trial.

And the last product I rediscovered is another lip product and this one is a bolder shade than Raisin. This is the Gerard Cosmtics Liquid Lipstick in the shade Immortal. I brought this last year to feature in my Lip Product Week and once I'd reviewed it, I put it in with my other lipsticks and promptly forgot about it. This is a beautiful true red shade that I remember quite enjoying when I wore it. However I believe there was something I didn't quite like about it and that's probably the reason I haven't worn it a lot since. However I need to stop wearing the same three lipsticks on rotation so this is one that I'm willing to give another go.

Review: Simply Pure Leave On Water Mask

If there is a particular skincare product I can't get enough of it's face masks. I have tons from a variety of brands but am always on the lookout for the newest releases and concepts. And Superdrug have recently released one that no other high street brand has released yet.

The Simply Pure Leave On Water Mask is the first of it's kind from a budget friendly brand/own brand. Tapping into the water based trend that a lot of brands are, this leave on mask is packed full of Hyaluronic Acid, Pro-Vitamin B5, Soothex and Allatonin. Fragrance free, and hypoallergenic, this mask is perfect for those with dry, sensitive or reactive skins that don't work well with other run of the mill face masks.

The first thing to notice about this mask is that is quite runny in consistency. Left at the wrong angle, it'll be absolutely everywhere when you open it. However it's thinner consistency means that it spreads evenly over the skin but doesn't drip or slide everywhere. And once it's applied skin feels like it's been splashed by water. It instantly gives skin a hydration boost whilst simultaneously soothing and cooling skin. The Soothex and Allatonin work to soothe skin and help reduce irritation and the appearence of redness whilst the Hyaluronic Acid works deeper down to keep skin hydrated for longer. And the best bit of this mask containing Hyaluronic Acid is that anything moisturising that you apply over top will be held by the Hyaluronic Acid in your skin and released slower than usual over a longer period of time.

I wasn't quite sure what to make of this mask to begin with. It didn't seem to sink into skin as well as I expected it to. However I think that's because I applied too thick a layer to my skin. The second time round I was quite impressed with this mask. As soon as I applied it my skin felt like it had been splashed by water. The feeling as it soaked in was similar to the feeling of the Loreal Hydra Genius sinking in when I've used it. There was still quite a bit of residue on my skin after the ten minute allotted time period but instead of rubbing it or away I left it on just to see if it would do anymore for my skin.

And once it either sunk completely in or I wiped away any residue I found that this left mixed results. Whilst my skin did feel hydrated and stayed hydrated for longer, my skin looked oily and greasy to touch. It did sort of disappear as time went on which makes me think that I maybe again applied to much. I'm not sure if I'd recommend this mask, it's nice, it left skin feeling hydrated but it wasn't groundbreaking enough for me to be bowled over by it. If you have extremely sensitive/reactive skin that doesn't react well with other masks then I would say that this would be a good choice of mask for you.

Review: Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water

Micellar water is something I have a lot of trouble getting along with. A lot of them, even those that claim to be for sensitive skins irritate my skin after a couple of uses and cause my skin to erupt into those horrible, under the skin blemishes that don't amount to anything and just generally are a pain in the arse.

Then I discovered the Simple Micellar Water and it works wonders. I don't break out when I use it and it doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or dry afterwards. So of course when they released a new version I just had to try it. The Simple Water Boost Micellar Water is the same formula as their original Micellar Water however it's infused with skin friendly plant extracts and minerals that simultaneously hydrates skin whilst it cleanses. It's perfect for those with dry/sensitive skins that find micellar waters irritate or leave skin feeling tight and uncomfortable.

I was quite worried this would break my skin out because of it's added ingredients. And I have had breakouts since I used this but they were caused by either hormones or my skin going through it's healing phase after I had my brows waxed. This micellar water has not broken my skin out or left with me loads of those horrid under the skin blemishes that cause my skin to look and feel bumpy to the touch. In fact it's done exactly what it claims to do on the bottle. This has been perfect as a cleanser for the days where I haven't worn make up and just need to refresh my skin. It hasn't left it feeling anything other than hydrated after each use as well as cleansed and refreshed. If you are in the market for a new micellar water but haven't had much luck finding the perfect one, this one may be just what you're looking for. Definitely check it out when you're browsing the skincare aisles of your local Boots or Superdrug next.

5 Products That Changed My Skin

As a blogger and self proclaimed skincare junkie I find myself trying new skincare products out regularly. Some of them work wonders on my skin and some of them are nice but don't show a drastic result. There have been five though that showed a brilliant change in my skin not only after the first use but also every use afterwards. And these products are the products I believe to be the ones that have helped give me good skin that I'm happy with.

 The first is a product that you've seen me talk about a lot on here and there's a very good reason for it. The Liz Earle Cleanse And Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser is one of a few cleansers that have changed how my skin looks and feels after cleansing. I could have featured a few in this post but went with the Cleanse and Polish because it was the one that showed such a dramatic change in my skin. I suffer from redness that before Cleanse and Polish was unmanageable. I always thought that my cleanser wouldn't affect my skin so much but I was wrong. Packed full of ingredients such as Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Calendula and Chamomile this cleanser not only breaks down make up and daily grime but also soothes skin and gently exfoliates at the same time. I'm not sure what it is in this cleanser but not only does it give skin a brilliant cleanse, it also soothes my skin and reduces the look of any redness my skin may have. Not only has this product made me more comfortable in my bare skin but it's also helped how make up applies and how it looks as a finished look. I never understood the hype around this product but now I can see why it's one of the best selling cleansers on the market.

The next product I was recommended because I loved Cleanse and Polish so much and whilst it works brilliant alongside it, it also works amazingly with other cleansers as well. It's another Liz Earle product and is their Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer. This is packed with all the same ingredients as the Cleanse and Polish but essentially comes in a spray form. This is the perfect morning toning mist as it really invigorates skin and wakes it up whilst simultaneously soothing skin and reducing the appearance of redness or uneven skintone. A few spritzes of this in the morning after I've cleansed rejuvenates my skin as well as soothes it and helps take down any redness that has appeared overnight. And I can certainly tell when I haven't used this as my skin will look lacklustre and my redness will be apparent than normal. It doesn't hurt that it smells divine either.

I love a good acid based product. Pixi Glow Tonic, Nip and Fab pre soaked pads, anything that is packed full of AHA's or BHA's is right up my street. And Alpha H's Liquid Gold is exactly that kind of product. Packed with Glycolic Acid this toner has not only changed the look of my skin but the feel of it as well. It only took one use of this to dramatically reduce any texture I had along my jawline and chin. And ever since then it's only ever improved the feel of my skin with every use. I use this twice a week after cleansing as a toner and love how it retexturises, rejuvenates and invigorates my skin. It's not for those with very sensitive/reactive skin but if you're skin reacts well to acid and your skin is need of a bit of retexturising this will be right up your street.

A cream that I can't live without because it's results are so astounding comes from Garnier. Their Miracle Sleeping Cream is one I spent a while using and then forgetting about but everytime I did use it the results were instantaneous and now I can't go a night without slathering my face in this. This thick, nourishing cream contains Hyaluronic Acid and Lavender Essential Oil that works as you sleep to hydrate skin and remove any signs of fatigue, no matter how bad a nights sleep you have. And in the morning skin looks plump, revitalised and hydrated. It's a brilliant cream for nights before big events or if like me, you just like skin to look perkier in the morning. I've lost counts of how many pots of this I've gone through but I know I will continue to go through countless more until the results change and I'm not wowed anymore.

And the last product is another one that I didn't think would change my skin so dramatically but it did and I can't get enough of it. The B Essence Lotion seemed like a lot of faff when I first saw it in the shops but I picked one up purely out of intrigue. And I'm so glad I did. This is my go to product on days when nothing else is doing anything for my skin and I need to soothe and hydrate my skin without overloading it with product. Lightweight in texture, it's just a case of pressing it into the skin where it easily absorbs and gets to work straight away. A small amount of this is enough to hydrate my skin, soothe any irritation and reduce the appearance of redness. And without clogging the skin either, this paired with something like the Loreal Hydra Genius is a guaranteed good skin day and I always find myself reaching for this combination when I'm having a lacklustre skin day or my skin is feeling particularly hormonal.

Review: Pixi Glow Mud Mask

There's nothing more I love than a good face mask. I'm forever trying new ones but I always find myself reaching the same ones over and over again. One that I tried, put away and then rediscovered and fell in love with is the Pixi Glow Mud Mask.

Containing Ginseng and Aloe Vera as well as Koalin and Sea Salt this mask not only purifys, soothes and brightens skin but simulataneously stimulates and rejuvenates skin. It also helps with excess sebum as well as deep cleansing pores and reducing the appearence and feeling of exsisting blemishes. Surprisngly there is no Glycolic Acid or AHA ingredient in this formula which means this will the perfect deep cleanse mask for those who's skin struggles to get along with acids. However it is advised you follow up every use of this with the Glow Tonic Toner which contains 5% Gylcolic Acid as well as Aloe Vera and Gingseng, so if you are a fan of acid based products then you can add that into your routine after using this mask.

When it comes to this mask I wasn't wowed straight away. In fact I was quite disappointed because after a couple of uses I didn't see any results which considering the other Glow products showed instant results seemed strange. So I just stowed it away with my other masks until recently when my skin was on strike and didn't want to agree with anything I put on it. I tried charcoal based masks, I tried detox masks and AHA based masks and nothing worked. So out of desperation I reached for this and I'm so glad I did. It instantly helped my skin, texture was reduced, pores were minimised and my skin felt instantly soothed. I don't know what this mask did but it worked to put my skin back into a good place and I find myself reaching for this once a fortnight between other masks to keep my skin in a decent condition.

If you can't use AHA based products or don't like masks that contain Charcoal or other harsher purifying ingredients then I highly recommend you check this out. Containing a host of ingredients that work beautifully in conjunction with each other to not only put skin in a better place but maintain the results this mask is well worth it's £18 price tag. Sure it's not budget friendly but if you're someone who relys on masks to help skin clear on the regular then this will be worth every penny.

Review: Simple Hydrating Booster

Hydration is always key to happy healthy skin but just lately brands have been using it as their basis for the plethora of new releases that have been hitting the high street. Some brands do it well but some brands fail miserably. Simple is one of those brands that has done it very well, very well indeed.

Their new Water Boost Hydrating Booster is a gem of a product and is the first of it's kind on the high street, with a somewhat budget friendly price tag. A lightweight serum consistency this booster can be used as a pre make up moisturising primer, mixed in with your daily moisturiser to boost hydration or applied to areas where it's most needed. Perfect for those with dry/dehydrated or senstive skin this booster not only gives skin a moisture surge but also holds onto moisture and slowly releases it throughout the day when skin needs it most.

The first thing to notice with this product is that a little goes a very long way, especially if you're adding it into a serum or moisturiser. The second is that the results from this product are instantaneous, even more so if you're skin is very dehydrated. Before you've even finished rubbing this in, skin will feel hydrated, plumper and softer to the touch. And throughout the day skin doesn't change, it still feels hydrated and soft to touch even hours later, make applied over top or without make up at all.

I've tried this on it's own as well as mixed in with my daily serum. Whilst it's nice on it's own, leaving skin feeling like it's had a massive hydration boost, I do prefer it mixed in with another product. This paired with a rich moisturiser such as the Liz Earle SuperSkin Moisturiser not only lightens the consistency of the moisturiser but also adds a bonus pop of hydration that you're skin will be thankful for. And I love pairing it with the Liz Earle as sometimes that whilst hydrating and nourishing on my skin can sometimes feel too heavy and this just lightens it as well as boosting moisture levels. If you have a holy grail moisturiser but just want an extra boost then this is the product for you. It isn't going to replace any of your exsisting products, it will just give them a little something mre which will is nothing but beneficial for your skin.

Review: Botanics Hydration Burst Dual Action Cleanser

When it comes to cleansers I'm always in the market for a new one. Sure I have tons I adore and use reguarly but I like to see what else the market, especially the high street has to offer. And just last month I found one from Botanics that I've been absolutely loving.

Their Hydration Burst Dual Action Cleanser is a two in one cleanser that gently yet effectively removes make up, dirt and grime whilst giving skin a hydration boost that most cleansers don't. Enriched with Clary Sage to soothe and hydrate skin, this gel to oil cleanser is perfect for those with dehydrated and sensitive skins.

The first thing I like about this cleanser is that it's thick. It's not one of those horribly runny cleansers that drips off your fingers before you've gotten it anywhere near your face, effectively wasting good product. And whilst it sounds like it would be hard to to cleanse skin with, it's not. A little bit of water and it transforms into a milky looking oil that breaks down make up quickly and effectively without drying the skin out. A warm flannel is enough to remove it and afterwards skin feels cleansed but not stripped and is still soft and supple to the touch.

The second thing I like about this cleanser is that it actually does what it says. It claims to effectively and gently remove make up without leaving skin feeling tight or irritated and that's exactly what it does. The consistency when you first apply it makes you think that it would be very heavy and pore clogging on the skin but that all changes when you add water and transform it into the oil. Then it becomes very lightweight on the skin and you can feel it breaking down any make up you have on without sitting pores, washing away easily with a warm flannel or muslin cloth.

Overall I love this cleanser, it works, it's gentle on my sometimes reactive skin and it has been one of the only cleansers I've reached for this past month. It's organic, budget friendly and can be picked up at your local Boots. If you have dehydrated, sensitive skin that struggles to find skin friendly cleansers then I highly recommend checking this out.

Review: Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Lipsticks

Every brand is starting to dip their toes into the liquid lipstick trend. Barry M do fantastic ones as do Stila, MUA and Nip and Fab. And now Rimmel have joined them with their recently released Stay Matte Liquid Lipsticks. They claim to be a high intensity, pigmented liquid lipstick that has a velvet finish and lasts for up to 12 hours whilst remaining comfortable to wear.

There are fourteen shades in the range starting with beautiful nude shades working through some gorgeous bolder shades and finishing with some slightly more eccentric but still stunning shades. The two shades I went for are Plum This Show and Fire Starter. Plum This Show is a deep plum shade that has more of a purple undertone than raspberry whilst Fire Starter is a bold red shade that is neither a blue toned red or a tomato red, sitting somewhere in the middle.

Now I'd love to tell you that both of these are highly pigmented, opaque in one swipe and comfortably long wearing. But I can't, I can only tell you this about one shade. Fire Starter is the shade to go for out of the two. It's opaque in one swipe, doesn't take a lot of work to get right and when it dries down, it's not budging. Like you can eat a greasy cheeseburger followed by a huge slab of fudge cake not moving. And I know because I've tried it. It does not budge and doesn't need reapplying either. It's an absolutely amazing shade, the doe foot applicator makes application a dream and you don't need to layer coats to get a highly pigmented matte finish that is totally comfortable even if you've been wearing it for a good few hours.

Plum This Show on the other hand is a disaster of a shade. What looks like a beautiful shade in the tube is a streaky unworkable disaster. It doesn't even swatch nicely. Now you may think I'm being harsh but it's the truth, I've tried so many different ways to get it to work and it just isn't. Under lip liner, on it's own, in thin layers, nothing works with this shade. And it's such a shame as it looks like it has the potential to be such a good shade. It would look absolutely stunning during the upcoming colder months if it just worked but it doesn't which is so disappointing.

Shades aside, these liquid lipsticks have the potential to be some of the best on the high street. Their velvet mousse feel makes them a lot more comfortable to wear than others' on the market and don't dry lips out. The doe foot applicator applies just enough product and has enough flexibility to it that it smoothly glides along the lips, leaving behind an opaque colour that dries down in seconds and doesn't budge. Compared to the Barry M, Loreal, MUA and Gosh liquid lipsticks these are the best for their price point. And at £5.99 a pop you can't complain. I definitely plan on picking up some more shades including the stunning bold pink called Heartbeat.

Monthly Favourites: July

It's Monthly Favourites time! Last month's favourites was rather small for various reasons so I'm making up for it this month. The first favourite this month is saying goodbye to the most hideous toothache I've ever had. I had to have a tooth removed at the end of June but couldn't put the pure relief it brought along with it in June's Favourites as I'd already posted it by the time I had my tooth out.

This month I've been enjoying my skincare a lot more. When I had my toothache my skin went downhill because I was more focused on the pain than looking after the rest of me. However since it came out, I've been back on the skincare bandwagon and to say my skin looks better for it is an understatement. And there has been a couple of cleansers that I really think have helped get my skin back to it's best. The first is this Botanics Hydration Dual Action Cleanser. I've been really enjoying this for taking my make up off. It's thick gel formula really works to break down my make up and removes it without clogging or weighing down my skin. This last month it's been my go to intial cleanse, it's gel to milk formula not only removing all of my make up but giving skin a hydration boost at the same time.

The next cleanser I've been loving comes from Murad. Their Essential-C Cleanser has seen more love for both inital cleanses and second cleanses than any other cleanser this month. It's orange scented and Vitamin C enriched formula really has left my skin feeling refreshed and revigorated every time I've used it. It's very thin in consistency, feels very lightweight on the skin and doesn't foam or soap up which makes it feel like it's actually cleanses my skin instead of stripping it of all it's goodness.

Another Botanics product I've been loving this month is their All Bright Serum Concentrate. Their All Bright Serum Concentrate has really helped improve both the texture and the look of my skin this month. Containing a natural exfoliant that helps to retexturise the skin with every us, I've been loving layering this and the Simple Hydrating Booster under my night moisturiser so that in the morning my skin looks brighter but also feels hydrated at the same time.

A product I wasn't sure I was going to love as much as I do comes from Simple. Their New Water Boost Hydrating Booster is a lightweight, water based serum product that you can add to your exsisting serum or moisturiser to give it a boost. I usually use hydrating products anyway but have really enjoyed adding this in to give skin that little extra boost. A little goes a long way and really helps skin feel hydrated, soft and plump to the touch. In the evenings I've been really enjoying adding a drop or two of this in with the Botanics All Bright Serum so my skin gets that glow boost but also a good dose of hydration as well.

Facial oil is something I've always been a bit intimidated by but recently I've been dipping my toe into them, to discover they're not actually as intimidating as they sound. And one I've been loving in particular comes from Naturally Radiant. Their Moisturising Facial Oil contains a mixture of Mulberry and Kiwi extracts as well as Rosehip, Jojoba and Apricot Kernel Oil that work to soften and moisturise skin without leaving it feeling overly greasy or oily looking. And that's exactly why I've loved it. It's lightweight enough to feel like it's not clogging my pores or causing my skin to produce more oil but heavy duty enough to actually moisturise my skin, leaving it feeling plump, soft and hydrated.

There have been a few masks I've been loving this month. The first is one of the latest offerings from Loreal's Pure Clay Mask range. Their Blemish Rescue Mask contains Marine Algae and works to help decongest pores, draw out impurities as well as soothe any exsisiting blemishes. Whether it was due to stress, being run down or hormones but at the beginning of the month I had a massive break out along my chin and mouth. They weren't pretty and left me feeling very self concious until I tried this mask. Unlike the others this doesn't dry down completely so if you happen to leave it on for an extra few minutes it's not going to dry skin out. In fact it seems to help and after one use my blemishes whilst not gone did look a lot better and slowly disappeared a few days later and luckily didn't leave behind any marks.

And the other masks I've been loving this month are Garnier's New Moisture Bomb masks. The De-Tiring and Glow-Revitalising Masks have been exactly what my skin has been asking for this month. The De-Tiring mask contains Essential Lavender Oil which helps reduce the signs of fatigue within skin whilst the Glow-Revealing Mask contains Sakura Extract which helps bring out skin's radiant glow. And these sheet masks as a range are some of my favourites in general. They don't flap about or peel off as your wearing them, they fit nicely to the contours of my face and the serum in which the mask is soaked in actually works and leaves results that last longer than fifteen minutes after it's been removed.

The only base product I've been loving this month is one that I've featured in a favourites post beforehand but I couldn't resist including it again. You may remember when the Rosie For Autograph Sheer Finish Complexion Enhancer first came out as I talked non stop about it and then I moved onto other bases I had in my collection. Well my love for it has come round full circles again, especially during the more humid days we've experience this month. It's BB Cream/Tinted Moisturiser hybrid formula gives skin coverage but doesn't create a mask over skin and still allows skin to breathe underneath. And the coverage is fantastic, I suffer from redness and this conceals that in a completely looking natural way that doesn't look cakey or too much. This paired with some concealer, powder, mascara and a bold lip has been my go to look for the last month and I can see that it will continue to be my go to product for the forseeable future.

The only red lip I've been reaching for this month comes from Rimmel. Their new Stay Matte Liquid Lipstick in Firestarter has been the only red I've wanted to wear since I purchased this. It's not a true blue toned red but it's not an tomato red either, it just sits comfortable in between and looks stunning on so many skin tones. This has a mousse like texture when applied to the lips which you would assume would leave lips feeling thick and gloopy but in fact the texture when it dries down is very lightweight and you can almost forget you're wearing it. And it doesn't budge. Like seriously, I've eaten a greasy burger and fries followed by fudge cake and ice cream with this on and it doesn't budge. It does fade from the very inner part of the lips but every lipstick does that whether it is liquid or not but the main body of colour stays in place. If you want to see my full thoughts on this, check back on Wednesday when a full review of these will be live.

And my last favourite for the month is this Barry M Lip Kit. Now a permanent line in the brand, these lip kits are to die for. Containing a lip liner and a matching liquid lipstick, these kits are highly pigmented, long wearing and easy to work with. I have several now but the one I've been reaching for a lot this month is the shade Go To. Now normally the packaging is a good match to the product inside but with this one it's a bit more decieving. What looks like a pale nude that wouldn't suit my dark hair and pale complexion is actually more a of a chocolate brown with a hint of greige running through it. And it wears so well. The lip liner is opaque in the barest of touches and the liquid lipstick is lightweight and highly pigmented, drying down to a comfortable matte finish.