Review: Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil

This is a product that's been sat in my stash for the longest time. I intially tried it, wasn't too impressed so put it back and forgot about it. However lately I've been trying as many cleansers as possible for an upcoming set of posts and stumbled across this. I gave it another chance and immediately fell in love.

The Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil is a lightweight cleansing oil that melts away make up including the toughest of eye make whilst simultaneously nourishing skin so after each use it feels soft to the touch. It contains Vitamin E so it nourishes the skin as you use it and you aren't left with that dry tight feeling that some cleansers leave skin feeling. It also doesn't leave skin feeling or looking greasy so people with combination/oily skin types can use it if they wish. As it's a Simple skin product it doesn't contain any perfume, colourants or harsh chemicals so if anyone with sensitive skin can get away with using this as well.

According to the back of the bottle two to three drops is enough to melt away make up and leave looking and feeling refreshed. However personally I feel like you need a good five or six drops for it to be enough to really work on the skin. My favourite part of using this oil is seeing it change from it's original translucent shade to the colour of your make up, it's like an indication of how well it's removing any signs of make up. A wet flannel or muslin cloth is all you need to remove this and afterwards your skin will be make up free and feeling like a baby's butt.

Initially I wasn't impressed by this product, there was something about it I just didn't like but this time around I've been really enjoying this. It makes a brilliant inital cleanse to really get rid of all make up meaning your second cleanse can really focus on your skin. Even when using more drops than recommended it never looks like you've used a ton of product with each use. It means this bottle will last a long time which is better than other oil cleanser I've tried recently. And the best bit, it costs less than a tenner. Definitely one you should have a look at when your next in the skincare aisle of your local drugstore.

Top 5: Holy Grail Products

The term Holy Grail Product gets thrown around a lot across the beauty community. Everyone has their own Holy Grail Products, products they can't live without and repurchase constantly. Now not everyone is going to agree on people's ideas of Holy Grail Products but that's beauty in general, what may work for one isn't going to work for everyone. And with that being said today I'm going to be sharing with you my Top 5 Holy Grail Products.

Clean and Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion
A product that has firmly had Holy Grail status for well over a decade now is this Clean and Clear Cleansing Lotion. This deep cleanses skin whilst the salicyclic acid in it helps remove any bacteria that could cause a blemish. It's aimed at sensitive skin and doesn't leave skin feeling tight or dry after use. In fact it leaves skin feeling clean, refreshed and ready for the rest of your skincare routine. It's also easy to use, perfect for people who are in a rush in the morning. Just pour some on a cotton and wipe across your face, it's that simple and you're be disgusted by how much dirt it picks up.

Garnier Miracle Sleeping Cream
A night cream that I can't live without is this Sleeping Cream from Garnier. There's something in this cream that I just can't put my finger on that works really well with my skin. It looks like a cream but feels almost like a gel on the skin when you rub it in. And it has bounce back technology so instead of leaving a load of fingers marks in it, it bounces back and looks brand new each time you open it. You apply this at night before bed and as you sleep it works to make skin look brighter, refreshed and moisturised. Once you wake up your skin looks brighter, feels smoother and like you've had more sleep than you've actually had. Brilliant for big events or everyday use I always make sure I have a pot beside my bed.

Nip And Fab+ Glycolic Fix Extreme Night Pads
A skin treatment that had Holy Grail status before I even finished the first tub comes from Nip and Fab.Their Extreme Fix Glycolic Pads changed my skin from the first use. Containing 5% Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid and Salicylic Acid these pre soaked pads exfoliate and refresh the skin as you use them. I always feel a slight tingle after I use them but it doesn't worry me as I know that it's working. And afterwards my skin feels smoother, refreshed and softer to the touch. Not one for those who have extremely sensitive skin.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser
I was introduced to Liz Earle as a brand last year and instantly fell in love with their award winning Cleanse And Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. This natural cream cleanser not only removes all signs of make up including waterproof mascara but soothes skin and leaves it feeling soft and soothed. I've gone through several bottles of this and am in dire need of a fourth as I absolutely love this stuff. If you have sensitive skin that doesn't agree with the more chemically based cleansers on the market then this is definitely for you.

Rosie For Autograph Lipstick in Lady Rose
A lipstick I can't live without which you can see from the bullet comes from Rosie For Autograph. Her signature shade Lady Rose is one shade I can't live without. It can easily put together a look or come to the rescue when your chosen lipstick doesn't quite work out. It's creamy formula and comfortable wear makes it a statement piece in my make up collection. I've nearly worked my way through my first tube and will definitely be repurchasing another when it's gone.

Review: Barry M Matte Me Up Lip Kit

Liquid lipsticks and lip kits are big news in the beauty industry at the moment. A lot of higher end brands are dabbling in the trend but not many high street brands are. One brand that is jumping on the bandwagon is Barry M. Alongside their singular Matte Me Up Liquid Lipsticks they've also released limited edition Matte Me Up Lip Kits.

There are three kits in total and each one comes with a lip liner and matching liquid lipstick. I have the shade Runway which is the deepest of all three. It's a deep pinky shade that is darker than it appears in the tube. Perfect for everyone as it'll look different on individual skintones. This is the perfect pink for me as it isn't too cool toned and doesn't have that bubblegum pink tone to it that many high street pink shades do.

The lip liner is ridiculously creamy and just glides on the lips when you apply it. Even though it's a wooden pencil form it's not scratchy or dry in texture. One swipe and you're left with an opaque line which you won't need to go over again to define the lips. As this liner is so creamy you can get away with using this to fill in the entire lip without it drying lips out like other liners can do.

The liquid lipstick is remniscent of the Kat Von D in that it's very light in texture and formula. Highly pigmented and opaque in one swipe, it's lightweight formula means you can barely feel it on the lips. It dries darker on the lips than it appears when first applied but the colour is still stunning and versatile to wear. It has your standard doe foot applicator that has enough flex to it to easily glide and follow the contour of your lip.

Once this has dried down there is no way that this is going to budge. You can drink, eat and even kiss someone with this on and it won't budge one bit. Of course like with any liquid lipstick or matte lip products if you don't have lips that aren't in the best condition then this isn't going to wear as well as if you'd prepped your lips for this. It can cling to dry, flaky patches and even if you apply another coat to try and cover it, it won't work as it'll only highlight it further. However if you regularly exfoliate and prep your lips then you won't be disappointed by this kit.

Overall this is one of the better kits on the market, it's pigmented, long wearing and budget friendly Whilst the likes of Primark and Make Up Revolution are both doing their own versions of lip kits they're not as good as Barry M's. From just swatching in store Barry M's Lip Kits feel better in quality and could probably rival even some of their higher end counterparts. It comes in at £6.99 a kit and you get both a lip liner and a liquid lipstick for the price which is brilliant value for money. If you can find them in a Boots or Superdrug I suggest you grab one or all three.

Let's Talk Nude Lips For Pale Skintones

If you've been reading this blog for a while you'll know I'm an avid fan of a bold lip whether it be a red, a burgundy or a plum. And for the longest while I stuck with these shades as I didn't think that I could pull off a nude lip. Then last year I dipped my toe into nude lips and this year dived headlong into loving nude lips. And now nude lips are something I wear even more than my bold lips, and that's saying something considering I'm of the fairer skintone.

Let's start by saying I have very dark hair and a very light/pale complexion so automatically ruled nude lip products out as I believed it would look like wearing concealer on my lips. Everyone else seemed able to rock them but they just didn't seem to be for me. That's until I found that specific nude tone that worked well with my skin and from then on I found myself looking out for these particular tones and my collection of nude lip products grew.

If like me you don't know where to start when it comes to looking for a nude lip that works for you it's all about patience and trial and error. Don't be scared to swatch products even if you think they won't suit you. Some lip products look different in tone or colour in the bullet/tube but will look different on the back of your hand. It doesn't mean they're going to look the same on the lips but due to hygiene reasons it's not wise to test products on your lips. However you can hold your hand up to your lips to see if it would suit you or even hold the bullet in front of your lips to see if it would suit you. Now if you have blonde or light coloured hair then light brown tones will probably suit you better than the darker toned shades but if you have dark hair than the darker shades will suit you better.

 For example Maybelline's Creamy Matte Lipstick in Smoky Peach (top) would be better suited to people with lighter/blonde hair as it's lighter tan like tones brighten the complexion whereas Brown Sugar (bottom) is more suited towards ladies with darker hair. It's undertones compliment darker hair colours more than it would lighter hair colours. Now darker hair colours can pull of Smoky Peach but it's a lot harder and has to be with the right make up and outfit.

A nude shade that suits both light hair tones and dark hair tones comes from GOSH. Their matte lipstick in the shade Rose. It's mauve tone means that it doesn't look lighter on one than it does the other. It's very neutral and can not only be worn by paler skintones but can be pulled off by any skintone. This is such an easy colour to wear, you don't really have to worry about having to match the rest of your make up or outfit as it will suit a multitude of looks.

Another two shades that can be worn by everyone of a paler complexion are these two from Stila. These dry darker on the lips than they look in the tube so don't think you can't pull either of these shades off. Patina (left) is a deeper pink shade that could either be played up as a bolder nude lip or a neutral lip depending on your make up, outfit and hair colour. Serenata on the other hand is a more interesting shade for darker haired ladies, it's got a greige undertone that shouldn't work but for some reason does. And on blondes it would look like your standard nude shade but can be brightened or tweaked with a bit of lip liner if that colour isn't really for you.

If you wear nude lips already but want to add a twist as the weather warms up then this Milani Matte Lip Cream is perfect for you. This is the shade Adored and is a peachy pink colour that paired with very laidback make up stands out and distracts from everything else. It can be worn by every paler complexioned lady as it's undertones play differently with different hair colours. This comes off very peach in tone when I wear it and even though a peach shade shouldn't suit me this one suprisingly does. Harder to get but if you can get your hands on it, it's well worth it.

And finally we have not only my favourite range of nude lipsticks but one of the best selections on the high street. Rosie For Autograph is a collaboration between Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Marks and Spencers. And the lipsticks in her make up line are mostly neutral which is perfect for every nude lip lover out there. I have four neutral shades which I absolutely adore and that suit everyone no matter what make up you're pairing it with or outfit. From left to right you have Silk Cami, Silk Rose, Lady Rose and Camisole Blush. As you can see three of the four shades are very similar in tone and are the ones I find I can wear the most with my colouring. They all have that mauve undertone that suits my fair skin/dark hair combination whereas Camisole Blush doesn't suit that well but when worked with another lip product or lip liner can work. However if you can't pull off shades such as Lady Rose then you'd be able to pull off Camisole Blush and others in the range that have the same undertone.

So that's a few lipstick recommendations I have for you all. Before this post gets any longer than it already is I'm going to go back over some tips to help you pick out the perfect nude lip to suit you:
1- Swatching is key. Lipsticks always look different when swatched.
2- Whilst you can't test it on your lips, hold testers up to your lips. It'll still give you an idea of if the colour will suit you.
3- Darker shades look less obvious on ladies who have darker hair colours and can be more flattering than the more concealer looking shades.
4- Likewise blondes can get away with light looking shades as their hair colour lifts their complexion whilst they wear them.
5- If you find one you like but it doesn't quite suit you don't be afraid to mix it with another nude lip product or lip liner. Plus any shades you create are unique and people will be dying to know where it comes from. 

Top 5 Barry M Polishes For Spring

Spring has sprung and alongside the Spring lip colours I've broken out the Spring nail colours as well. And whilst there are loads of I could chose from these are the five that have been really catching my eye.

Frosted Cupcake Nail Paint in Marshmallow
This is one of Barry M's latest releases. I didn't think I'd like this when it first came out but I actually love this shade. It's a light pink shade that has iridescent shimmer running through it. It doesn't stand out too much on the nail and isn't overly glittery or shiny. It's perfect if you want a no nonsense manicure as it makes nails look pretty yet not too over the top. It's square ended flat brush makes painting nails a doddle and they dry quicker than your standard polish.

Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Acai Smoothie
One of my favourites from the Gelly Hi Shine range Acai Smoothie is a deep pinkish shade with a purple undertone. It's thicker than average formula delivers a high shine that looks like it's come straight from a nail bar. It also has a flat square brush so application is easy and it's formula means you can get away with one coat instead of two if you're in a rush.

Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Pink Lemonade 
Another Gelly Hi Shine polish in a similar shade to Marshmallow. Pink lemonade has a almost greige undertone which makes it stand out from other light pink shades. It looks stunning on nails and it's high shine finish makes it really stand out. It's gel-esque formula is thicker than other Barry M formulas so it looks like you've had a gel manicure at a nail bar but without ruining your nails.

Speedy Quick Dry Nail Paint in Freestyle
One of their Speedy Quick Dry nail paints I love at this time of the year is the shade Freestyle. It's more pink than Pink Lemonade but still has a greige undertone to it. It makes it more muted than other light pink tones out there and perfect for an understated manicure. These polishes dry even quicker than the Gelly Hi Shine range which makes them perfect for quick manicures. This formula is slightly thinner than the Gelly Hi Shine range so I'd advise two coats of this to make sure that it's completely opaque and streak free.

Coconut Infusion Nail Paint in Surfboard
The final polish I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of comes from their Coconut infused collection. The shade is called Surfboard and it's an off pink lilac tone that looks brilliant on both fairer skins and darker skins as well. This range of polishes contains Coconut Water to moisturise the nail whilst you wear it. There's no need for a base coat as they don't stain the nail. Two coats is enough to get an opaque finish that is streak free and stunning.

Monthly Favourites: March

It's monthly favourites time. The last couple of months I've had a never ending list of favourites but this month that list is a lot smaller. Some of it might be because I've been on some sort of no buy and it might be because I've gotten a collection of products I love so there's no need for me to go and find a new favourite of it.

Clean and Clear Gentle Hydrating Wash
A face wash I've been enjoying this month comes from Clean and Clear. Their Daily Hydrating Wash is gentle enough to use on my occasionally sensitive skin and doesn't dry it out or leave it feeling tight. It's lightweight gel formula doesn't foam like a lot of other blemish fighting face washes can do and doesn't strip skin of any of it's natural goodness. I don't tend to get a lot of breakouts but I find that a combinaton of this and their Sensitive Cleansing Lotion really works to help reduce their appearence and eventually wave them goodbye. It contains Rosewater and honey so even the most sensitive of skins can use it and not worry about it causing any irritation. It's perfect as a gentle morning cleanser.

Rosie For Autograph Lipstick in Rosie Lips
A lipstick that I brought that I wasn't sure I'd love but totally fell in love with on first wear is this new Rosie For Autograph lipstick in Rosie Lips. It's a deep pink shade that has no other undertones running through it, it's just straight up pink. I thought I wasn't going to be able to wear it because I can't normally pull of pink lipsticks but this shade really suits my fairer skintone. My favourite thing about the Rosie Lipsticks are that they initially have a sheen to them but dry down to a demi matte/satin finish that doesn't budge and just adds something a little extra to the lipsticks. I know I'm going to be getting a lot of wear out of this now the weather is getting warmer.

Rosie For Autograph Lipstick in Vintage Rouge
Alongside Rosie Lips the range also released a new red shade called Vintage Rouge. And I've fallen hard and fast for it. It's not too blue toned and it's not too orange toned which makes it perfect for this time of the year as well for later on when Summer finally arrives. The finish of these lipsticks means that it doesn't look to over the top and gives that statement pop that colours like this aim to do. I find myself reaching for this constantly alongside the other Rosie lipsticks and know that I'll be getting a lot of wear out of these in the future months.

 Rosie For Autograph Summer Rose EDP 
Another Rosie For Autograph product I've been loving is her Summer Rose Fragrance. This combines her original rose scent with notes of pear, blackcurrant, jasmine and musk. It's lighter than her two other fragrances which makes it perfect to wear during the day. I've enjoyed wearing it on it's own to work everyday and then layering it with either my Rosie For Autograph Nuit fragrance or my Elizabeth And James Nirvana White. I've nearly finished my first bottle but have already got a second larger bottle ready for when I run out.

 Beauty And The Beast 
If there is one thing I've been loving even more than my beauty favourites this month is Beauty and the Beast. The trailer made me want to watch it every time I saw it and then I started listening to the soundtrack and knew I just had to go and see it when it was released. I wanted to see it that much someone only had to mention it and I'd start humming the soundtrack. And I finally got to see it this Saturday. It was AMAZING! I really would love to go and see it again. Emma Watson was fantastic as Belle, Dan Stevens, Josh Gad and Luke Evans all wowed me and really added something extra to the characters that the animated version couldn't. I'm definitely going to be buying this when it comes out on DVD.

 B Beauty Blending Sponge
I've used a beauty sponge for ages but until recently I wasn't enjoying it as much as I have been lately. And that's because I've finally been using it correctly. Now I know that may sound silly but until recently I was wetting it with a spritz like I'd seen hundreds of times on YouTube tutuorials but it wasn't giving me the results I wanted. So I started wetting it under the tap and the results are amazing. My make up looks even better than before and it doesn't look powdery or overdone all thanks to me learning how to use my sponge better.

 Maybelline Lip Definer in Brick Red
A lip liner I've enjoyed wearing with both my Vintage Rouge lipstick and my next favourite comes from Maybelline. It's one of their new release Lip Definers in the shade Brick Red. It's a deep red shade that has a blue undertone but not too much that you can't pair it with more orange toned shades as well. It's ridiculously creamy in texture and filling in your lips doesn't take forever. It also doesn't dry out lips like some lip liners which makes it perfect for pairing with liquid lipsticks or matte lipsticks. I've enjoyed it that much I've lost the bottom off of mine.

Barry M Matte Me Up Liquid Lipstick in Paparazzi
And my last favourite comes from Barry M. Last month I featured their new Barry M Lip Kits which are limited edition but at the same time they released their new Matte Me Up Liquid Lipsticks. I obviously picked up the red shade and have been seriously loving it this month. When I haven't been wearing Vintage Rouge I've been weraring this. It's lightweight texture rivals the feel of Kat Von D's liquid lipsticks and they're just as comfortable to wear if not more comfortable. I love pairing this with the Maybelline Lip Definer to really define my lips and make them pop. Definitely give these a swatch when you're at a Barry M stand..

Review: GlamGlow Masks

When GlamGlow first launched in my local Boots I wasn't that interested due to the amount of hype they were recieving. But then my best friend Jasmin brought me this amazing set for my birthday and as soon as I used them I kicked myself for avoiding them for so long.

If you've never heard of GlamGlow it's a face mask brand that has a range of masks, each designed to tackle a specific skincare issue. There are masks for brightening, hydrating, blemish clearing and anti-ageing. These masks aren't designed for everyone due to the strength of the ingredients in them but when you find the one that works for you, you'll be blown away by the results. There are currently six masks in the range and currently I own four.

There is the Supermud Clearing Treatment. This is designed to clear away any blemishes or any blemish creating bacteria that can linger deep down in pores. It contains This is not one for people with sensitive skin as it does tingle when applied. After every use of this skin look poreless and purified without being dried out or clogged up. I personally love using this as a spot treatement rather than an all over face mask as it really helps bring any under the skin blemishes to the surface and any noticeable blemishes are cleansed and on their way to clearing up.

Then there is the Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Mask. This one is definitely not one for people with sensitive skin. When applied it tingles on the skin as it works to loosen and exfoliate away any dead skin, revealing softer, smoother feeling skin after every use. This is a perfect once a week or before a big event mask. I wouldn't advise using this too often as it could be quite drying on the skin, but that's where the next mask could come in handy.

And that mask is the Thirstymud Hydrating Mask. This is the only leave on mask in the range and works wonders on the skin. It's divine smelling formula gently sinks into skin to leave it feeling calmed, soothed, hydrated and brightened. And the longer you leave it on the better the results on the skin. It's perfect to wear overnight, especially before a big day or event that you have coming up. It's thick so a thin layer is all you need to really quench your skin.

And finally there is the Gravitymud Firming Mask. This is one of the harder to purchase masks from them but it's results are brilliant. A bright silver white mask a thin layer of this dries down to a peel off formula. And unlike a lot of other peel off masks this can actually come off in one go. And you can see the results as soon as you peel this off. Skin looks toned, firm and plump to the touch. If you have more mature skin this will be brilliant to give skin back the plump feeling it can sometimes lose. And if you go a little mad on Snapchat whilst wearing this mask and bombard friends with endless selfies of you in it then I won't be judging you as I do exactly the same.

Overall out of the four I own my favourite has to be the Thirstymud Hydrating Mask. The clearing masks are nice but sometimes they're a bit too much for my skin and I have other charcoal based masks that I prefer. And I try not to use the Gravitymud Firming Mask as it's so hard to get a hold of. GlamGlow is an expensive brand so it's picking the right mask for you is important. And when you pick the right mask the results will make the price irrelvant and you'll find yourself frantically repurchasing it when you come to the end of one pot.