Morning Skincare Routine

When I was a teenager my mum used to bang on about how I should be looking after my skin and being a typical teenager I ignored her advice. Fast forward ten years and looking after my skin has become one of the most important parts of my day. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wash my face or slather it in moisturiser and SPF and I've never dared to go to bed in my make up. And I'm happy to say that my skin is looking the best it's ever looked and I like to think it's down to the routines I have both AM and PM that have helped my skin. So today I thought I'd share with you my morning skincare routine that not only leaves my skin looking good but also creates a great base for  make up.

The first thing I have to do when I finally drag myself out of bed is wash my face. I don't know about all of you but my face doesn't always feel the greatest when I wake up. And depending on how lazy I'm feeling that particular day depends on what I use on my face. The majority of the time I wash my face and for that I reach for the Garnier Organic Lemongrass Face Wash. It's gel texture is extremely lightweight and leaves the skin feeling squeaky clean but not stripped. My skin always feels ultra soft after I've used it and the tangy Lemongrass scent really helps to knock away the last bit of sleepiness I may have. But if I'm feeling lazy or I've woken up with a headache (which is quite often) I reach for my Clean And Clear Sensitive Cleansing Lotion instead. Now before you all come at me and tell me off for using a product ridden with alcohol, I'll say I've been using this for nearly fourteen years and it's never had any adverse reaction with my skin. I just pour it onto a cotton pad and swipe it over my face. The amount of crap it can pull off my skin still surprises me to this day and it leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed even if I'm not feeling it myself.

After I've washed my face I always go in with a toner. It wasn't always a step I included in my routine but I've been doing it since the beginning of the year and I've really noticed a difference in my skin. My favourite morning toner is the REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic. This is packed with Lactic Acid, Azelaic Acid and Willow Bark that work to even out skintone, reduce the appearence of enlarged pores and reduce the feeling and appearence of texture on the skin. I love it's pump top that distributes the right amount onto the cotton pad. And it's works wonders on my skin. My skin looks glowy, feels softer and looks even and bright which creates the perfect base for make up.

Now it's time to start adding some moisture and to start that I spritz myself generously with the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spray. It's jam packed with ingredients such as Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Camomile and Calendula. It helps to reduce any redness I may have and soothes my skin if it's feeling a little sensitive. It also makes a great setting spray over top of make up if you don't want something heavy duty. I've lost count of the amount of these I've gone through but I seriously wouldn't be without.

During the Summer months I only reach for a lightweight serum but in the Autumn/Winter I add a moisturiser over top. As we're still in Summer, I'm only going to show you my serum today. My holy grail serum comes from Loreal in the form of their Hydra Genius Aloe Water. It's so lightweight and just quenches skin's thirst. It feels like you've just splashed your face with water but that feeling lasts all day. It's perfect for layering under moisturiser, SPF and make up and will keep skin looking and feeling hydrated all day long. It's available for different skin types as well so even if you've got oily skin, you'll be able to use this on your skin.

Then it's on to SPF and this is one of the most important steps in my routine. I spent my teenage years being a SPF dodging, sun worshipping little shit and I'm honestly surprised it doesn't show in my skin more. But for the last five years I've religiously applied SPF to my face daily, even if I'm just nipping down to the shops. The one I find works best with my skin comes from Hawaiian Tropic and was recommened to me by a friend. It's oil free which means it isn't going to weigh down skin or clog pores, it's lightweight so it can be layered under make up and it's suitable for all skin types so that even those with sensitive/reactive skin types can use this. And for an SPF it's surpisingly moisturising which means on days when I''m just popping down the shops, I can pop this on and forgoe moisturiser.

And finally there is eye cream. Now if you've been a reader of the blog for a while then you'll know I've been on a bit of an eye cream journey over the last few years but now I can safely say I have not one but two eye creams that I would never be without. One is only for evening use and will certainly be featured in my August Favourites but the one I reach for every morning without fail is the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream. It's ultra hydrating, soothing, firming and reduces any puffiness I may have. And all that works to give me a brighter under eye area with less blue tones, especially in the corners where it's always darkest. A little goes a long way and ever since I've been using this every morning, both my foundation and concealer have been going on more evenly in that particular area.

Monthly Favourites: July

Happy Monday! It's the last Monday of the month and you all know what that means. It's Monthly Favourites time. This month I've had more non beauty favourites than I have beauty favourites which I put down to the ever changing British Summer that resulted in the most horrid of heatwaves last week. But I digress.

The first and most exciting thing I got up to in July was seeing Carrie Underwood live. I've been the biggest fan of Carrie since I was a teen and when it was announced that she was coming to the UK to her first arena tour, I knew I just had to be there. And Jasmin being the best friend in the world came along with and dealt with my over caffeinated ramblings about merch and songs and how much I was going to cry. And cry I did. I managed to hold it in for the best part of the concert but as soon as I heard the opening notes of Low, I was a wreck. It's a special song to me and there are times when I hear it, it makes me cry but hearing it live was even more special. I cried again during Cry Pretty at the end as it had just sunk in that I had actually witnessed her on stage. I sang my heart out and I'd happily pay any amount to see her live again.

Another favourite that has played a big part of my month is the Rocketman soundtrack. In fact it's played a big part of my life since it was released in May. I have not been able to stop listening to it and I may just prefer a few of Taron Egerton's versions over the original. Sorry not sorry. Rocketman was one of my favourites of the year so far and the soundtrack is still one of my go to choices when I want some music to liven up a boring job. Bennie And The Jets, Take Me To The Pilot, Tiny Dancer, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and of course Rocketman are my absolute favourites from the album but each one is beautifully done, I just wish a few were a little long. I adore Taron Egerton's singing voice and would love to hear his full renditions of Don't Go Breaking My Heart, Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word. If you haven't seen Rocketman or listened to the soundtrack, I recommend you do. You won't regret it.

Out of the two films I've seen this month I wouldn't be able to choose a favourite. The first I saw was Spider-Man Far From Home. I absolutely adore Tom Holland's portrayal of Peter Parker and this sequel was no different. It was an absolute rollarcoaster of emotions, one minute I was laughing the next I was nearly in tears. Following the events of Endgame, Far From Home follows Peter as he tried to continue with live without Tony. It sees him struggling to balance being a normal teen enjoying his school trip to Europe with the responsibility of being Spider-Man. Throw in Jake Gyllenhaal as Mysterio who's ass I'd happily kick, you've got yourself an amazing continuance of the MCU after Endgame. Plus if you haven't seen yet and you're planning on it, I highly recommend staying for both post credit scenes. Both will leave you gobsmacked and totally pumped for Phase Four from Marvel.

And the second film I've seen this month is The Lion King. I was apprehensive after seeing some mixed reviews but it was outstanding. As soon as it started I was taken back to my childhood which made me extremely nostalgic and emotional. That scene destroyed me and made me very glad I'd forgone make up that day. At one point I couldn't watch but could still feel the sorrow in it. The score was so close if not the same as the animated version and it gave me chills. Again it sent me back my childhood, reminding me of days I'd spend watching Disney movies and belting out every song I knew whilst in my back garden (I was tone deaf but I still gave it my all). Don't let the mixed reviews fool you, this is a film you need to experience for yourself before believing any of what you've previously. Definitely one I'll be picking up on DVD when it comes out.

This month I finally bit the bullet and brought myself a stainless steel bottle. And of course I could have gotten any stainless steel bottle of Amazon but I chose to get myself a Nightmare Before Christmas one. It's absolutely stunning and I've found myself drinking a lot more water, especially during the heatwave than usual. I know it sounds stupid, but it's amazing what having a cute drinking bottle can do for my motivation.

And keeping on the Nightmare Before Christmas theme, I have what some are going to think of as the most boring favourite but are something I absolutely adore. As I've recently gotten back into reading I wanted some new bookmarks to replace the random ticket stubs and receipts I'd been using previously. And one day whilst I was browsing on Etsy I saw not one but four Nightmare Before Christmas bookmarks. And at only £1.50 a piece I just had to buy them. They were absolutely stunning when I got them in the post so I went back and custom ordered two more from the creator. Again these are stunning and the whole process of ordering and shipping was ridiculously quick and easy. They're definitely an Etsy seller I'll be buying from again. Now I have such choice when it comes to picking out a bookmark for my current read.

Now onto my first of only three beauty favourites this month. The first is one I've been using for a while but it's only been recently that it's become a favourite. The Garnier Organic Fresh Lemongrass Detox Gel Wash has become a staple in my skincare routines. It's lightweight and doesn't leave skin feeling weighed down or clogged yet is still effective as a cleanser. I love using this in the evenings when I'm not wearing make up. It leaves skin feeling absolutely heavenly after each use. I put my skin clearing up and looking a hell of a lot better down than it has down to this, it's that good even my mum and best friend have brought a bottle.

I'm not someone who gets super hyped over a foundation and I have my firm favourites that I repurchase religiously. Yet when I saw that my local Boots were now stocking IT Cosmetics, my interest was rightly piqued. I started off with a travel size bottle not only just to trial it but also because I needed a smaller size to take to Naomi's wedding. And hello new holy grail foundation. I honestly don't understand why I hadn't tried it before. It's AMAZING. I wore it for twelve hours at Naomi's wedding it did not budge and we're talking a warm day in the middle of June. But even since the wedding, this foundation has completely changed my outlook on base product. It can be as humid as hell out there and it doesn't even budge. Hell I wore it for over twelve hours when I saw Carrie Underwood and even cried like a baby and it didn't budge. My face looked as good when I got home as it did when I left to meet Jasmin. I'm so thoroughly impressed by this, I'm happily dropping the £30 for a full size bottle.

 And my last beauty favourite for the month of July comes from Maybelline. Ever since they were released I've been a big fan of the SuperStay Matte Inks. And a few months ago I added two more to my collection. Both are beautiful shades but this shade Lover is absolutely amazing. It has a stunning lilac undertone that suits even my fair skintone. It's looked stunning with both my Ariana Grande and Elton John t-shirts. They last for ages, you can easily eat or drink with them on and they do not move. And they're not uncomfortable to wear for hours on end. I can happily put this on in the morning and still be wearing comfortable a good seven or eight hours later. The only let down for these particular lipsticks is that they can be quite hard to remove but with the right oil based make up remover, they come right off.

2018 Beauty Favourites: Skincare

 

Happy Wednesday! As I've done the last two years, I've compiled all my beauty favourites from 2018. As usual I've split into two posts, one make up related and one skincare related. Today I'm sharing all my skincare favourites from 2018 with you. As I'm writing this, I'm comparing 2018's list to 2017's list to see which products I still love and what new discoveries I made.

Cleanser 
Cleansers are the one product I'm always changing but this last year there has been one that I've always returned to. That one is the Superfacialist Vitamin C Cleansing Oil. It's a lightweight cleansing oil that breaks down even the most long wearing of bases. It doesn't leave skin feeling greasy or weighed down and can easily be used as an AM cleanse as well as a PM cleanse.

Scrub
Exfoliators and facial scrubs were something I used a lot more in the last year. I have to give an honourary mention to the Soap And Glory Scrub Your Nose In It AHA Scrub. It leaves my skin feeling super soft but the Pixi Peel And Polish is the one that I can't get enough of. It's more of a leave on scrub than a physical exfoliator. It's not a chemical exfoliatant but it still leaves skin feeling soft and smooth to the touch without stripping the skin.  

Toner
I spent most of the year knowing I was going to be talking about the Pixi Glow Tonic for my favourite toner of the year but as the year drew to a close, another toner came out of nowhere and knocked the Glow Tonic of it's top spot. The Pixi Retinol Tonic was a product I was wary of using when it first came out but now it's one I have to use everyday without fail. My skin has never looked
as good as it has since I started using this and it's Retinol formula is gentle enough to use on a daily basis but still effective enough to see results. I've already gone through the small 100ml bottle I brought to try and am making a nice dent in a full size bottle as we speak.

Facial Mist
The Liz Earle facial mist is one of my absolute holy grail products but as I've featured it in previous years favourites, I wanted to talk about a similar style product that works just as well as the Liz Earle. The B B Calm Facial Mist contains a blend of Camomile and Hyaluronic Acid to soothe, hydrate and replump skin. I went for months with the Liz Earle spray and this worked just as well with my skin, alleviating any redness I had and leaving my skin feeling soft and hydrated. And the best bit was it cost me less than the Liz Earle, which I appreciate during the summer months when all my money went on ice cream and massive bottles of water.

Facial Oil 
Now you may notice I'm skipping several catergories such as serum, day moisturiser and night moisturiser. Not only have I done it to cut down on the size of this post but also because I haven't any other favourites to the ones I mentioned in my 2017 Beauty Favourites. However I did fall in love with a facial oil this year, something my routine was missing previously. The Palmers' Skin Therapy Facial Oil is a gorgeous blend of Rosehip, Vitamin E and Cocoa Butter which works to reduce the appearence of dark marks, pigmentation, fine lines and scars left behind from blemishes. It's lightweight enough to be used on a daily basis and doesn't clog pores or leave skin feeling weighed down. I've gone through a whole bottle of this already and am already halfway through my next. I love putting this on after I've taken my make up, when my skin easily takes any product I apply.

Eye Cream
I bounce about a lot when it comes to eye cream. In fact I'm talking about one in this post but in reality am actually using a completely different one. The one I used predominantly throughout 2018 comes from Estee Lauder. Their Advanced Night Repair Supercharged Eye Cream made an incredible difference to how my eyes looked both with and without make up. It easily reduced the appearence of blue tones and dark circles, giving my under eye area a clearer, brighter look that overall made me look more awake and refreshed. A little goes a long way with this which is why this tiny pot has lasted me a long time.

Under Eye Patches
I love a good pair of under eye patches. I'm one of those people who will spend that extra hour awake to finish the chapter of a good book or another episode of the latest show I'm bingeing. However the next day, that extra hour always makes an appearence around my eyes and not a lot apart from about a week's worth of sleep will help. Or so I thought. This year I discovered the Skyn Iceland Cooling Under Eye Patches. I wasn't too sure on them as I usually only used the Rodial Dragon's Blood Under Eye Patches but now they are a contender for my favourite under eye patches of all time with the Rodial. More of a material than a bio cellulose mask, this under eye patches cool the under eye area as soon as you apply them. You can almost feel your under eye area sigh with relief when you apply them. And for the days when it's really bad, you can pop them in the fridge for five minutes to get an extra shot of cooling action.

Sheet Mask
Last year I was all about the Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Masks and I still am but in 2018 Garnier released a new style of mask that I can't get enough of. The Garnier Fresh Shot Replumping Sheet Mask is a DIY sheet mask that delivers the equivalent of a full 30ml bottle of serum with each use. The bio cellulose mask is saturated in product and never fails to leave skin feeling hydrated, plump and soft to the touch. I can't get enough of these masks and always make sure to have a good two or three in my mask basket.

Face Mask
Last year I didn't really use a lot of wash off face masks, a lot if it was because I loved using sheet masks more but a lot it was also because I was quite lazy with my skin for the best part of the year. However when I did find the energy to use a wash off face mask, the Loreal Pure Clay Blemish Rescue Mask was my go to mask. With a three clay and blue algae formula, this mask helps to keep skin clear whilst working to reduce the appearence of any dark marks left after any previous breakouts. This has been a godsend whenever I've had a breakout or a pesky mark left from a breakout that just won't disappear.

Fragrance
For fragrances I'm usually a one trick pony. Normally I rotate between the four fragrances from the Rosie For Autograph range but this year I added not one but six new fragrances to my rotation. Admittedly they're all from the same brand but each and every one of them is absolutely divine and it's extremely hard to pick a favourite. The Elizabeth and James scents are to die for. They range from light and feminine to deeper and more muskier, almost masculine, each one just a divine as the next. And my favourite part is that you can layer these scents easily amongst the range or with other scents. I particuarly like layering the Nirvana French Grey with my Rosie For Autograph Original EDP. Both are light and feminine, making them perfect for a Summer's day or even a date night.  

Festive Skincare Saviours

 

Tis the season of joy, goodwill, good food and parties. Christmas parties, family parties, New Years Eve parties, December is the month that is filled with many a social event. And whilst it's fun and games, we all sometimes let our routines slip and it soon shows on our skin. So today I've rounded up a handful of products that will love and look after your skin throughout the festive period, without adding extra steps or extra time into your routine.

Okay so it's an obvious that there will be times during the month when you don't want to spend ten minutes stood in front of a sink meticulously taking off your make up. Wipes are the easy option for a quick make up removal but I personally can't stand how wipes make my face feel afterwards. Which where this first product comes into play. The B Stubborn Make Up Remover is the perfect no rinse make up remover that isn't going to dry our or irritate skin like a wipe would. It's bio phase formula breaks down even the toughest of make up and leaves skin feeling clean yet still soft and not stripped of it's natural oils. It works wonders on lipstick, mascara and foundation, leaving no trace behind. If wipes are your thing then you do you boo but if you're not a massive fan of wipes and want something to break down make up whilst still looking after your skin then I'd highly recommend this or something extremely similar.

If you can find the time and energy to stand in front of the sink, first of all I commend you and secondly, I suggest trying a nourishing balm or cream based cleanser. They're thicker in consistency and work better at nourishing the skin whilst simultaneously removing make up and any dirt that's built up throughout the day. My all time favourite cleansing balm has to be the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm. It's thick, it easily breaks down make up but it also nourishes and leaves skin feeling super soft. Clinique's Take The Day Off Balm and Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish are also brilliant products that work in a similar way to the Emma Hardie but cost a fraction of the price. Things such as central heating, cold weather, alcohol and too much junk food can play havoc with the skin, something these products won't be able to reverse but will be able to diminish any effect it can all have on your skin.

If you've had one too many late nights this festive season, then under eye patches are going to be your best friend. These little miracle workers will help depuff, soothe and awaken tired eyes. There are so many different variations on the market but my absolutle favourites come from Skyn Iceland. They're a material/hydra gel mixture that work to soothe and depuff the under eye area. These are naturally cold when you first apply them but can also be placed in the fridget to make them even cooler. Their cooling properties help to reduce any puffiness that lack of sleep, late nights or too much processed sugar can cause. They may not do a lot to help with your dark circles but will create a smoother, hydrated canvas for the ton of concealer you may need afterwards. I always stock up at the beginning of December so I have enough to see me through any work parties, late nights wrapping and nights out with the girls.

Are the late nights catching up with you? Does your skin not look it's greatest? Don't worry my last skincare saviour will help get your skin into tip top condition once again. If you're like me and you enjoy taking your time getting ready for a night out, I highly recommend taking fifteen minutes out fo your dance party to apply a sheet mask. Sheet masks are the only kind of mask you'll need throughout the festive period. Usually made of a hydro gel or fabric combination, sheet masks give skin a quick pick me up without the need for washing off or interrupting your busy schedule. They can easily be worn as you do tasks around the house and don't require any extra steps after removal. My favourites are both from Garnier. Their De-Tiring Lavender Infused Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask and the Fresh Mix Replumping Sheet Mask are little skin wonders and have really helped my skin when I've needed something to make it look presentable. The De-Tiring mask helps to reduce the signs of fatigue whilst delivering a week's worth of hydration to skin which is slowly released over a period of time once you've removed the mask. It's perfect if your skin is looking a little dull after one too many late nights and it's lavender scent is also perfect to help you unwind after a long day. And their Fresh Mix Mask is a DIY mask in which you fold together and squeeze the essence up into a dry sheet mask, ensuring that it's as fresh as it can be when you apply it to your skin. This delivers the same amount of hydration as a 30ml bottle of serum and really works to hydrate and replump the skin whilst only taking up fifteen minutes of your day. I have these backstocked so I don't run out during the festive period as from the way I'm going, my skin's gonna need a lot of TLC this festive period.

Monthly Favourites: August

It's the end of the month and frankly, I'm quite happy to say goodbye to August. September is shaping up to be a good month for me and I have tons of new content that I can't wait to share with you all. It also means Autumn is one step closer and my Autumn/Winter baby heart is going into overdrive. This month has been a weird month for favourites, I've spent most of it make up free because of the weather and haven't really deviated from usual skin products. I have however added a couple of new additions into my routine but the majority of my favourites have been more lifestyle related this month.

I'm going to start with the beauty bits as they're what I have less off. The first favourite is a bit of a problematic favourite. I absolutely adore it but it doesn't always seem to agree with me. It's the newly released Nip And Fab Glycolic Fix Extreme 6% Scrub. This makes my skin feel so so soft, it's unbelivable. It doesn't dry my skin out or leave it feeling tight and any texture I have is pretty much non exsistent. However everytime I've used it, the day after I wake up to find a new friend on my face. Which is where my dilemma lies. I love how it makes my skin but I don't want to have to fight a blemish or two every time I use it. I thought my skin would get used to it like it did with their 6% liquid toner but I don't think it's going to get better with time and I don't really feel like putting my skin through that repeatedly when I could easily just use another scrub that agrees with my skin.

My next two beauty favourites both centre around the eye. The first is the Garnier Moisture Bomb Under Eye Masks. These are fantastic under eye patches/masks that have changed how my under eye area look completely, well these and my next favourite. Both eye masks leave my under eye area looking hydrated, puff free, with a great reduction in the appearence in my dark circles which as a combination makes my whole eye area look more awake and alert. I've gone through numerous packets of these already and have a good two or three packs as back ups. I haven't repurchased my holy grail Rodial under eye patches since I started using these and that's saying something as normally I'd need at least one pack of those in my possession at all times.

My last beauty favourite is again focused on my under eye area but is definitely less budget friendly than the Garnier. I recently recieved a sample of the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream to try and I instantly fell in love. From the first use, my under eye area looked smoother, hydrated and my dark circles look/ed reduced but not completely eradicated. I had a feeling I'd like this as I love the Advanced Night Repair Complex from them and I wasn't wrong. It's extremely thick for an eye cream but I find that it doesn't leave my under eye area feeling greasy and actually sinks into skin quite quickly but obviously works a lot longer than you'd think. I'll happily buy a full size when this runs out.

Now for the non beauty favourites I don't even know where to start. Actually as I type this and look at my notes for this post, I have a good idea of where to start. BAKE OFF IS BACK! Now I know it hasn't actually started tonight (Channel 4 8pm, if you've forgotten) but I don't even need to watch it for it to be a favourite this month. Bake Off is one of my absolute favourite programs of all time and I always find myself waiting impatiently for it every year. It is the only show that will get me to put my iPad down for an hour and fifteen, I won't even reply to Jasmin's texts until afterwards, and that's saying something as she's one of the only people I reply to quickly. Ir's what inspires me to continue baking and one day I'd like to maybe even apply even though a lot of my friends and family think I should apply for next year. So for the next twelve weeks I'll be curled up in my pjs at 8pm with a snack and a hot drink, enjoying Bake Off to it's fullest.

My next favourite is somewhere I went at the beginning of the month and loved every second of the day, even if I didn't manage to stay awake past half nine that night. At the beginning of the month me and my mumma had a week off together and one of the days we went to the zoo. Marwell Zoo to be more precise. And it was beautiful. I went last year with my friend Lauren and her little girls but I'd completely forgotten how beautiful it was until I got there. The big cats were my favourites (crazy cat lady in the making) but every animal we saw was beautiful to see in the flesh rather than on a TV screen. I took over three hundred pictures that day and still to this day can not whittle it down to a favourite. I post ten of the best over on my instagram so I'd suggest going over and checking them out.

I have a new favourite YouTuber and her name is Brogan Tate. She is an amazing lifestyle, beauty, Disney vlogger who I discovered when I stumbled across her Florida Disney vlogs and I've been hooked ever since. Not only is she a lover of Disney but she's extremely down to earth and shows exactly what day to day life even if it's not the greatest. There's something extremely calming about her videos and I love watching them after a long day at work. She creates amazing content and I find myself prioritising her videos over anyone else's new uploads and I'm excited for her next batch of Florida Vlogs. If you haven't watched any of her videos, I highly recommend you do. I can guarantee you'll be hooked just like me.

A song I've been hooked on this month is God Is A Woman from Ariana Grande. I wasn't too sure about it when I first heard it but then I watched her perform it live and I found myself listening to it over and over again. After Carrie Underwood, it's one of my most played songs this month. I love everything about it. Her vocals kill it, the beat is amazing and I love the message she's putting through the lyrics. I'm not a big fan of what I've heard of Sweetner so far but I think if I listen to it again, I could be hooked on the rest of the album as I am on this song.

My last favourite this month will not be to everyone's taste but I absolutely adore it and that's all that matters. I'm a huge fan of the Disney film The Nightmare Before Christmas. I've loved it from a young age, with one of my earliest memories is of me sat in front of the TV watching this on repeat, literally rewinding the video (I'm a child of the nineties) back to the beginning as soon as the credits started rolling. I apparently did it that much, my mum had to hide the video. But even twenty odd years later I'm still a huge fan of it so when I saw what Disney had released to comemorate the twenthy-five year anniversary of it's release, I just had to have it. This beautiful purse with Lock, Shock and Barrel on the front was one of the easiest purchases I've ever made. I absolutely adore it, it's the type of purse I like, it has plenty of room inside for cards, cash and coins and is just the softest material I've ever felt. It was definitely the best twenty quid I ever spent. 

Review: Garnier Fresh-Mix Tissue Masks

Garnier have recently released some new masks into their range, last week I reviewed their Moisture Bomb Tisue Eye Masks and today I'm back with my review of their new Fresh-Mix Tissue Masks.

The Fresh-Mix Tissue Masks are essentially a DIY style mask. So instead of having a pre soaked tissue mask that you apply straight to skin, this mask requires a little work. Each sachet is divided into two parts. The top half has a dry algae infused tissue mask in it whilst the bottom half contains the serum which you usually find pre soaked into the mask. The instructions are easy to follow, with each packed marked clearly where you're supposed to fold.

There are two masks so far in the range. The first is the Replumping Shot aimed at hydrating and smoothing the skin. It contains Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Castor Oil to deeply nourish and hydrate skin for a longer period of time, giving skin a plumper look and feel. This is perfectly suited to all skin types, even oily skins and would make a fantastic hydration both throughout the Summer transitioning through to the colder months of Autumn and Winter.

And the second in the range is the Glow Shot. Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C, this mask aims to brigthen and even complexion, giving skin that healthy lit from within glow whilst still leaving skin feeling hydrated and soft to the touch. It's perfect for this time of the year when make up is minimal and a natural glow is appreciated but it would also make the perfect Winter glow boost when skin tends to lose it's lustre and becomes a little uneven and dull looking.

These masks are great fun. They're the perfect thing to get in for a girls' night in as they're just so enjoyable to put together and wear. I was a little worried that the serum would go everywhere when it was being pushed upwards into the mask but it actually turned out fine. The instructions were so easy to follow and the mask so quick to put together. There was just enough serum in the sachet to coat the mask generously without it dripping or pouring excess product everywhere when you applied it. They sat well on the face and didn't slide, drip or drop off once on, even when I was moving about. I haven't tried the Glow Shot yet, I'm saving that for my pamper night this week but I have tried the Re-Plumping Shot and I adored it. It left my skin feeling hydrated, soft and smooth to the touch as well as plump looking, something I never thought I'd say was a good thing when it comes to the appearence of my skin. They slightly more expensive than the original Moisture Bomb Tissue Masks but they are well worth every penny. Garnier again are thinking forward into how the beauty world can and will evolve and their nailing it on their first attempt. If you see these in your local Superdrug or Boots; I highly recommend picking a few up, you won't regret it.

Review: Garnier Moisture Bomb Eye Tissue Masks

I love a good under eye patch and am slowly working my way through every pair available in the beauty industry. And for the longest time I wondered why Garnier hadn't added a under eye patch to their ever growing skincare ranges. That is until recently. I've had these sat in my collection for the last month but didn't use them until I had a back up of each waiting in my eye patch basket.

Their Moisture Bomb Eye Tissue Masks are an extension of their popular Moisture Bomb mask range. There are two under eye masks in the range. One is a pair of conventional looking under eye patches and the other is a mask that sits over the entire eye area. The patches contain Orange Juice and Hyalruonic Acid that work to reduce the appearence of bags and brighten the under eye area. They're a material mask which can sometimes be a pain to work with but these are simple and easy to use, something I put down to their size.

The eye mask on the other hand contains Hyaluronic Acid and Coconut Water to reduce the appearence of fine lines whilst simultaneously hydrating and redefining the under eye area. Both the patches and the mask claim to reduce the skin's temperature by up to four degrees when used but can be more if they are stored in the fridge beforehand. They're also fragrance free so they're very unlikely to irritate anyone's eyes but if they do, taking them off and rinsing your eyes is the obvious solution yet I think that the majority of people would be fine using these.

I like these, I'm a huge fan of Garnier and their Moisture Bomb range anyway, so it was a given that these weren't going to let me down. The patches are absolutely massive which surprised me at first but after wearing them, I see that my skin benefited from them being bigger. My under eye area looked brighter, felt smoother and any puffiness that I had, hadn't gone completely but had reduced significantly and made me look more awake and alert. The eye mask thankfully fit perfectly to the contours of my face and didn't slip or drop off when I moved, even if I did look like a member of the Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles. It was extremely cooling on the skin and left my under eye area feeling smoother and hydrated, pretty much creating the perfect canvas for make up if I had worn any the day I used it. I've tried a variety of different under eye patches/masks and whilst these won't knock my holy grail Rodial under eye masks off the top spot, they come a close second. They don't cost the earth and actually work unlike other high street options that claim to work when in fact they leave the under eye area feeling tighter than it was before you applied the mask. Definitely a new release I'd recommend checking out if you're in the market for some under eye masks or are just a massive fan of Garnier like myself.

Empties: July

It's come round to that time where I share my trash with you. Now I know a lot of you probably don't want to see what I've used up or care if I'll repurchase. But I do know a lot of you are just as nosy as I am and love seeing what beauty products people have used up.

Let's kick things off with under eye patches. And as you can see I used a lot of them. I love a good under eye patch for depuffing, hydrating, smoothing and reducing the appearence of my dark circles. And yes that is multiples of each set that I have used. My most used are the Primark Sunflower Under Eye Patches and the Soap and Glory Puffy Eye Attack Under Eye Gels. They're inexpensive and work well for me so I don't mind going through several packs (see five) reguarly. Patches such as the Rodial Dragon's Blood Under Eye Patches and the Skyn Iceland Eye Firming Gels are a little more pricey so I limit myself to how many I use. That being said I still managed to get through several packs of each because they are my absolute favourites even if they do make me wince when I repurchase them.

Another thing I clearly use in large quantities is sheet masks, so let's get them out of the way next. I'll start with another ode of love to the Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Masks. My favourite is the Lavender De-Tiring Masks but I am partial to the others in the range if I feel my skin needs it. And I also recently tried out the new Ultralift Tissue Mask. It was okay, I wasn't bowled away by it but it wasn't terrible by any means. I think I will be sticking to my Moisture Bomb Masks in the future though.

Three other sheet masks I used up were the Simple Water Boost Hydrating Tissue Mask, the PS Hydro Gel Mask and the Nip and Fab Glycolic Fix Extreme Bubble Mask. I used up a couple of the Simple masks on the days when my skin needed hydrating but not a deep burst of hydration like you get from the Moisture Bomb masks. The PS Hydrogel Mask was okay but it didn't work wonders or blow me away. For it's price point, it's good option but I'd personally pay the extra for the likes of the Garnier or the Simple. And finally the Nip and Fab is forever a favourite but because it's slightly pricier than the others I limit myself to one every now and again. This has to be one of the most fun masks I've ever used. It makes you sound like a bowl of rice kripsies whilst you look the abominable snowman. Now if that isn't reason to use this mask, I don't know what is.

And finally on the sheet mask front I used up a couple from Soap And Glory. The Pore Refining Mask and the Miracle Moisture Mask have to be my favourites from my range. They both adhere nicely to the skin, don't drip or slide about and leave behind visible results that last longer than the half an hour other masks results last. I particuarly like the Pore Refining Mask for when my skin is more hormonal and always make sure to keep a stock of them ready for Mother Nature's visit.

Whilst we're on the subject of masks, I used up two samples of wash off face masks and was highly impressed by both. The first was the Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Mask and the second was the Origins Clear Improvement Mask. Both worked wonders for deep cleansing and purifying my skin, making sure no shit was left lingering in my pores. Sure I got a couple of breakouts afterwards but I never mind because my skin always looks so clear once they've gone. They're not the cheapest deep cleansing charcoal based face mask on the market but I'd happily buy both in full size, seeing how well they worked for my skin.

It wouldn't be an empties post if I didn't have at least one bottle of my Clean And Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion in there. You all know the drill with this by now. It's my morning cleanser, has been for the last twelve years, never breaks me out or dries out my skin and really works to wake my skin up in the morning. Again countless bottles will feature in the future as until they release a product as good as this, I'll only exclusively reach for this in the mornings.

I finally finished a bottle of my Nip and Fab 6% Glycolic Fix Extreme Liquid Glow. This is my holy grail evening toner. It's 6% glycolic acid formula works to really deep clean and retexturise skin, revealing skin's glow as well as promoting heathly cell turnover. I thought I'd go through this bottle quickly but a little really goes a long way, something I'm happy about with it's near on twenty quid price tag. However I'd happily pay that and more for the way it's changed how my skin both looks and feels.

Talking of Nip and Fab, I finished two sets of their pre soaked pads. The first set I finished was the Dragon's Blood Fix Cleansing Pads and the second was the Glycolic Fix Pre Soaked Pads. To be honest I've gone off these pads since the 6% was released so I ended up using them daily just to finish them and get them out of my collection. There is nothing wrong with these pads but they just don't work with my skin anymore. I think it's become used to higher concentrations of AHA's so these were barely doing anything. However if you don't think your skin could handle a high percentage of AHA then I recommend checking them. I won't be buying them again though.

I finished not one but three different facial spritzes. The first was another bottle of my Botanics Refreshing Facial Spritz with Rosewater. I've gone through multiple bottles of this, it's one of my favourites and I'm sure you'll see more bottles in the future. The second is the B Hyaluronic Facial Spritz. Again you've seen this in empties posts before and will probably see more in the future. It's light, it's hydrating and can easily be used over make up, a brilliant factor during this heatwave the UK is enduring. And the last is the B Vitamin Facial Spritz. This is a great dupe for the Pixi Vitamin Mist, works wonders to refresh and rehydrate skin as well as working over make up to give skin that lit from within glow. I love it that much I've almost finished my second bottle already.

Two serums I finished won't come as a surprise to any of you. The first is the Loreal Hydra Genius Aloe Water. I've gone through countless bottles of this and still haven't grown bored of it. It's like a splash of water on the skin that lasts all day long and doesn't let skin loose it's plump, hydrated look. And the second is the Simply Pure Hydrating Night Serum. Again I've gone through a few of these now but it just does exactly what I want it to and I would be silly to use a different product that doesn't give the same results.

I finished another pot of my Garnier Moisture Bomb Glow Enhancer Cream. This again has been featured before, I'm halfway through another pot and I'll continue to feature it in empties in the future. It's my go to, everyday day cream, it's really light and hydrating and works perfectly under SPF or make up.

Again another product you've seen repeatedly is the Garnier Miracle Sleeping Cream. I adore this stuff. It's bouncy/bounce back gel like formula really works over night to reduce any appearence of fatigue and leaves skin looking hydrated and refreshed, whilst soft and smooth to the touch.

I finished another pot of my Olay Total Effect Eye Cream. I don't usually stick to an eye cream for long and I'm starting to think that maybe it's time to try a new one. It doesn't seem to do as much for my under eye area as it used to. If any of you have recommendations for a good eye cream, leave them in the comments, I really don't know what other ones I can try.

SPF is a big part of my skincare routine but whilst it's been extra hot over here in the UK, I've been extra diligent about it. So I've gone through another Hawaiian Tropic Air Soft Face SPF30 and am already halfway through another. This is lightweight enough to be layered under make up but doesn't clog pores or weigh skin down. It's oil free and fragrance free making it suitable for all skin types.

I am a strong believer of not using wipes on your face but I do manage to go through quite a lot of wipes and my favourite are the Garnier Micellar Oil Infushed Wipes. These are my go to's for when I need to remove any lipstick of any kind, especially the long lasting liquid lipsticks that other wipes don't touch. These don't break me out, don't leave a horrible oily residue around my mouth and are the only wipes I trust for removing lipstick or lip swatches.

I have a few make up empties this time around including empties of my two go to everyday primers. I'm not going to go into too much detail as you've seen them featured before. The Barry M Hydro Fix Primer Water and the Maybelline SuperStay Primer are the best primer duo I've ever used and I've gone through countless bottles of both. Usually there are more of each but due to the heatwave I've been wearing make up less often, so I haven't gone through as many.

I finished two base products since my last empties, the first being the Rosie For Autograph Sheer Finish Complexion Enhancer and the second the Make Up Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer. The Rosie For Autograph is my go to light coverage, barely there base product on those days when I want a little something but not a full medium coverage foundation. It's a stunning base that really lets skin look like skin whilst giving it a healthy lit from within glow. The Conceal And Define however is a lot more coverage and feels heavier on the skin. It's perfect for covering blemishes and brightening the under eye area, however I would only advise wearing it when your wearing a heavier coverage foundation as it takes away from the no make up, make up look that lighter bases give.

I've actually finished a mascara. That is unheard of from me. The Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara has been one of my go to mascaras since it's release earlier this year. It's natural bristle brush and coconut oil enriched formula have really worked to give my lashes volume, length and definition whilst leaving them conditioned and stronger. I've already got another tube of this open and I can gurantee you'll be seeing more of these in empties in the future.

I was lucky to recieve a sample pack of the Body Shop's newly release Body Yoghurts. I've used two of the three and I absolutely love them. They're lightweight yet ultra hydrating, they sink into skin immediately and smell absolutely divine. Out of the two I'd probably buy the British Rose in full size but I'd also love to try the Coconut Body Yoghurt if they ever have it in stock.

And last but not least I finished two bottles of perfume. Again this is unheard of for me as I have tons of bottles of perfume and never stay loyal to one but somehow I've managed to finish two. The first is the Christina Aguilera By Night scent. I used to wear this years ago and found a little bit left in a bottle tucked in dark corner of my wardrobe. It still smelt okay so I just kept wearing it whenever I went to work. It's musky but feminine and has a slightly sexy edge to it that boosts my self confidence whenever I wear it. The second is an all time favourite of mine and I've gone through many a bottle. The Rosie For Autograph Nuit is again that musky, deeper scent that is suited more for the evening wear but boosts my self confidence whenever I wear it. I love it that much I'm already halfway through my next bottle.