Products I Would Repurchase - Part Two

Hi everyone,

This is the second instalment of 'Products I Would Repurchase'. I'm going to do these posts when I feel that I have enough products that I would repurchase.

Alpha H Liquid Gold
This is the only chemical exfoliator I use, but I only use it every other week; as it can be quite harsh. I use this after toning my skin, as it works as an intensive overnight treatment.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (new formula)
This was one of the first serums that I ever used, and I love it. Not only does it get rid of redness, but it also helps to boost the skins moisture levels. The morning after using this my redness has more or less disappeared, and my skin is more radiant.

Moroccan Oil Light
I really enjoy using this at the ends of my hair, as it gives it a little added moisture, as well as making my hair feel silky smooth. It also has quite a nice scent.

Tony & Guy Firm Hold Hairspray
This is my go-to hairspray, and I've already worked my way through a travel sized can of this, as I didn't know at the time if I would like it. It also has a pleasant fragrance.

Trevor Sorbie Volume Leave-In Conditioner
This is a great leave-in conditioner if you would like to add some volume to the lengths of your hair. I like to use this after I have washed my hair, and once my hair has dried it leaves my hair feeling conditioned  with some added volume.

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette
This is what I really like to use if I want a 'no fuss' natural look. This palette also really suits my skin tone, as its a warm toned neutral palette. It's a simple palette to use, and all of the eyeshadows are matte, which makes it a great everyday palette.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
I really like to use the Expert Face brush to apply my foundation, as it has a flat top. Due to its flat top it makes blending out foundation really easy. I already have another two in my brush collection ready to go.

Angel Perfume

This is my favourite fragrance to wear during the Autumn/ Winter months, due to it being a strong scent. But, once the fragrance has been on the skin a while it really is lovely. When I first purchased this fragrance it did take me a while to get used to it, but now I can't get enough of it.

Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne

I enjoy wearing this fragrance throughout the year, as it isn't your generic rose scent. The fragrance itself actually has a sweetness to it, which comes from the middle note of acacia honey. Also, the fragrance is formulated with a variety of roses from around the world.

Latest Skincare Additions

Hi everyone,

I've been on a bit of a skincare kick recently, and I would like to show you what I have purchased to add to my current skincare collection. A couple of the products I have used in the past, but it was during my teenage years. So, I decided to pick them up again, and see if they was as good as I remember them.

Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser
I decided to get this cleanser if my skin ever needs to 'get back to normal' if it ever decides to go through a funny phase. I really hope my skin takes to this cleanser, as I will be using it as a hot cloth cleanser, due to being a cleansing milk.

Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner
I thought this would be a great toner to add to my skincare collection, as it will help to balance out my skin when it needs it, as well as helping it to calm down and get back to its normal condition. Also, with it being lavender it will relax and calm me at the same time.

Dior Purifying Cleansing Milk for Normal/ Combination Skin

I used to use this cleanser when I was sixteen, and the one thing that I remember about this was the scent, as it was a really luxurious fragrance. I will be using this as a hot cloth cleanser, rather than placing it on a cotton pad and sweeping it all over my face; which it what I did when I advised on how to use it all those years ago. 

La Roche-Posey Serozinc

I've been using this instead of my usual toner, and I'm impressed. Within two weeks it helped to combat the few blemishes that I had at the time, and also tone down the oil on my nose. I think I may have to stock up on this.

Lush Ocean Salt
I wanted an exfoliator that was harsher than my current, and then I remembered about Lush's Ocean Salt. This was the first ever Lush product that I ever purchased back in my teens, and I remember I went through a few tubs of this at the time. I still have no idea why I stopped using this, as its brilliant. This gets the job done, but without being too harsh on the skin. It also has a lovely lemon/ lime fragrance.

Aesop Camomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque
I ended up picking this up mainly due to Estee at essiebutton featuring it in an empties video. I've only used this a few times, and I'm already noticing a difference in my skin, Even though this is an intensive face mask, its gentle on the skin at the same time. I only apply a thin layer of this to my T-zone, leave it on for 20 minutes and then remove it with a hot flannel. Afterwards, my skin is clean, clear and slightly moisturised. I think I actually prefer this face mask to the original Glamglow.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
I got my friend to pick up a small tube of this while she was over in the US, as I wanted to see what all the fuss is about. I think this a gel formula, and that isn't something I usually go for, so it would be interesting to see how my skin reacts too it.

Glamglow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment
I have been wanting to try this since it first came out, but I couldn't justify the price. So, my friend picked this up for while over in the States. It has a lovely scent of coconut, which you can actually smell through the protective seal. I mainly want to use this as an overnight treatment, but you can also use this as a 20 minute face mask.

Pai Rosehip BioRegenate Oil
I got this to include in my current skincare routine, as my skin needed a little something extra. This contains the highest concentration of Rosehip oil on the market, and that was one of the main reasons why I brought it. After I have cleansed my face I apply a very small amount of this all over my face, as a little bit goes a long way due to being concentrated, and I then layer with the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, and that combination seems to being working very well at the moment.

Review: Origins Checks & Balances Cleanser

Hi everyone,

I thought I would share my thoughts on the Origins Checks & Balances cleanser, which I have been using for a good few months.

I really like to use this in the morning, as its lovely and refreshing. The Checks & Balances cleanser is a gentle foaming cleanser, and it has a mild spearmint scent, as well as subtle tingling feeling.

The Checks & Balances cleanser helps to balance out both oily and dry areas on the skin, but it also benefits the skin as it doesn't cancel out either dry or oily areas. If the skin is oily it will first target the oily area, then it will soak the oil up and it will help to keep the oiliness away. It also contains the ingredient Broadleaf Kelp and this helps to break down and get rid of any excess oil, as well as giving the skin a little bit of a glow. On the other hand, if the skin is dry it will help to balance it out, as well as to protect it from getting any drier. Once the skin has been cleansed it won't feel tight, pulled, or dry. Just very soft, comfortable and refreshed.

When my skin has been cleansed I like to remove it by using a hot flannel, and my skin feels lovely and soft afterwards. This is one of the nicest cleansers I've used, especially in the morning or during the day if my skin needs a little pick-me-up.

My Sunday Facial Routine

Hi everyone,

On a Sunday I do a slightly different skin care routine from what I usually do during the week. There's a couple of differences, the first one is that I use a purifyomg cleanser, and the second is that I use a more astringent toner.

Micellar Water
I always use a micellar water as my first step, as this helps to get rid of any dirt or build up that has collected on my face throughout the day.

Boscia Purifying Cleanser
This is the only purifying cleanser I use, because its really gentle. It also smells like Turkish Delight. Once the cleanser has formed up a little and has been massaged into the skin, I then remove the cleanser using a hot flannel. It makes the skin a little moisturised and very soft.

REN Clarimatte Toner
This is great as its a very gentle, but an astringent toner. It also has a slight cooling effect when it touches the skin. Also, the scent of this is really nice, as its very fresh.

Witch Hazel Toner
This is what I was using orignally before I came across the REN Clarimatte toner. This is actually Mother Nature's way of trying to keep acne or mild blemishes at bay, but its a little on the harsh side, and its not as gentle as the REN Clarimatte toner.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate
I use three to four drops of this every night and my skin seems to really like it. It also gives my skin a bit of a glow. I've never really had any problems with my skin since using this. The main ingredient in this is lavender oil, so if your skin is sensitive it may not be right for you. But, if you want to try it and you don't know how your skin would react, then this is one product I would highly recommend you get a sample of - purely on the basis that it contains lavender oil.

Rodial Dragon's Blood Moisturiser
This isn't my favourite moisturiser, but I do want to use this up because it was expensive for what it is. One of the reasons why I brought this at the time was because it contains hyaluronic acid and at the time I didn't have anything in my skincare routine which contained hyaluronic acid. Its also worth pointing out that I was a complete novice when it came to skincare when I brought this.
  Don't get wrong as it does moisurise and hydrate my skin, but its the wrong formula for what my skin needs; as my skin prefers a gel-cream formula and this moistuiser is a cream formula.

Product Empties - September 2015

Hi everyone,

It's time for another product empties, and I've gone through a fair amount of products this time around. Also, I'm doing something a little different in this empties post; which is product fails.

Lush Twilight Shower Gel
This is a really lovely shower gel to use, especially during the colder months of the year. Its a really warm, cosy lavender scent, which is great to use before you go to bed. Sadly, its limited edition, and it comes out during the Christmas period, and I don't even know if they're going to bring it back again this year.

Simple Soothing Toner
This is my everyday toner, as its very gentle and soothing on the skin.

Bath & Body Works Black Cherry Merlot Deep Cleansing Hand Soap
I love these hand soaps, as they work wonders for my dry/ chapped hands during the colder months of the year. The scent of this is gorgeous, as its like a musky cherry fragrance, and it isn't a strong musk.

Champneys Watermint Shower Gel
This is a lovely cool mint shower gel, and it has quite a thick texture. So, a little bit goes a long way and its a lovely refreshing shower gel to use in the morning, because the mint isn't too overpowering.

Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk

I had about a third of the product left before I decided to throw it away. It wasn't because it was a bad product, because it wasn't. It was because it was way past its expirary date. This is a lovely cleanser to use, and I prefer to use it as a hot cloth cleanser by using a warm flannel to take it off.

Nivea Powerfruit Relax Shower Gel

The scent of this lovely, as its berry fragranced. But, this is just a basic shower gel, and I had to quite a bit of product to get a decent lather.

Jo Malone Wild Bluebell Shower Gel

I really enjoyed the scent of this. But, this is just a basic shower gel.

Body Shop Absinthe Purifying Hand Wash

This is a lovely hand wash to use, because apart from it being a cleansing hand wash it also add a little bit of moisture. Its also fragranced with Aloe Vera, as well as being a lovely thick, gel texture. So, a little bit goes a long way, and this lasted me for around six months.

Body Shop Coconut Body Scrub

This is a lovely creamy body scrub, and I love the scent as its a sweet coconut fragrance. I think this is the second one of these I've gone through, and I've already got another one ready to go.

Body Shop Shea Body Butter

I did really enjoy using this during the Autumn & Winter months, but I really didn't like the fragrance all that much. The Shea body butter is extremely hydrating and has thick texture, but it does sink into the skin straight away.

Body Shop Coconut Body Butter

This was only a small travel size which I got to try, and I really enjoyed using it. It has a lovely thick texture that melts into the skin straight away, and this is the ideal body butter to use during the colder months as its also very hydrating.

Sure Radiant Long Lasting Protection Deodorant

I've repurchased this countless times over the years, and I will continue to repurchase. The fragrance is also lovely and very fruity.

Bath & Body Works Tuscan Melon Pocketbac

I love the pocketbooks that Bath & Body Works have to offer, as they do the job but without having the nasty clinical smell. The scent was a lovely fresh melon fragrance, and I have one more of these in my pocketbac collection.

Body Shop Almond Hand Cream

This is a really nice hand cream to use before you go to bed, as its quite moistuising. It has a lovely sweet almond fragrance. The only thing that let the product down was the packaging, because when I first opened it, it just wouldn't stop leaking.

Product Fails

John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Multi-Tone Revealing Enhancing Shampoo & Conditioner

I was really looking forward to using these when I first brought them, as I haven't used John Frieda products in years. The reason why these are a fail is because both of these products dried the ends of my hair out really badly, and it has taken around two months for my hair to get back to some sort of normality.

RMK Skintuner Smoother Moist

I only ever used this product once, and once was enough. Because within twenty minutes of using it my skin started to burn, especially on my cheeks. I washed it off straight away, and my face was still burning slightly. It took an entire week for my skin to settle down, and at least three days before I resume my usual skincare routine. In my experience, no skincare product should make your face burn.

Sephora Haul - Vegas Edition

Hi everyone,

A very good friend of mine recently went on holiday to Las Vegas, and while she was there I asked if should could pick me a few things from Sephora. I asked her for the things that I wanted to try, but couldn't get my hands on.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
This looks like a lovely gentle everyday cleanser to use, and I love the fact that its got cucumber in it. I'm really hoping that it has a subtle cooling sensation when I use it.

Buxom Full Bodied Lip Gloss in Hey Baby
This is a lovely berry shade, and I don't have anything like this in my make up collection. At least not in a lip gloss. The lip glosses from Buxom offer a sheer, hydrating formula with a no-tingle plumping effect. I'm really looking forward to wearing this shade of lip gloss.

Buxom Full On Lip Cream in Pink Lady
Pink Lady is an opaque electric pink shade, and again I don't have anything like this in my collection. The lip creams from Buxom offer a creamy, no-shimmer formula with a tingling, plumping effect. I'm really looking forward to wearing this, as I don't have anything lip glosses with a creamy formula.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF15 in Tulip
This is one product that I've been wanting to try for years, but I've been unable to get hold of it. The Fresh sugar lip treatment is a hydrating treatment that helps to nourish, protect and also plump the lips. The shade Tulip is a sheer tint of hot pink. This would be great to use during the warmer months.

Glamglow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment
This should have been the small 0.5oz, but I ended up getting the full size product by accident. Because on the list I gave my friend I think I've must have written 1.7oz instead of 0.5oz. I've always fancied trying this, as you can use in a few different ways. You can either apply a thin layer and leave it to work its magic overnight, or apply a thick layer and use as a 20 minute face mask. I mainly got it to use as an overnight treatment.

Fresh Sugar Lychee EDP 30ml
This is a lovely summery fragrance to wear, as its very fruity and citrusy. It contains the notes grapefruit, mango flower, lychee, lemon and lime blossom, freesia, sandalwood, Tonka bean and amber. To me its more fruity rather than musky.

Elizabeth & James Nirvana White Rollerball Fragrance

This fragrance seems to be having a moment in the spotlight, alongside her more darker sister Nirvana Black. Nirvana White is a more feminine, but has a darker sophistication running through it. It contains the notes of peony, muguet and musk.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb EDP Rollerball Fragrance

This is one fragrance that I'm reserving for special occassions, as well as at events that take place during the evening. This is another sophicated scent, and its contains the notes of jasmine, rose, orchid, freesia and patchouli.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Rollerball Fragrance

This is a lovely fresh fragrance to wear during the day, and during the warmer months. This is a more fruity take on the original Daisy fragrance. The notes are blackberry, grapefruit, pear, jasmine, lychee, blue westeria, white woods, musks and coconut water.

Fresh Sugar Lychee Rollerball Fragrance

I decided to get a rollerball of the Fresh Sugar Lychee fragrance, as I thought it would be nice to carry around in my handbag during the warmer months.

Review: 'Feed the Beast' By Steve Thompson

Hi everyone,

I had the pleasure of seeing the production of 'Feed the Beast' twice at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, UK. This production is a thing of beauty, you just need to go in with a little bit of an insight as this will help to bring the production to life.

Cast

Gerald Kyd - Michael
Kacey Ainsworth - Sally/ Leader of the House of Commons
Amy Marston - Heather/ Curator of Chequers
Shaun Mason - Scott/ Robert
Paul Moriarty - Chairman Denis/ General Hume
Aimee Powell - Ellie
Badria Timimi - Andrea/ Priscilla
Tristram Wymark - Clive/ Anthony

Michael Goodlad is my ideal Prime Minister, as he wants to get the UK back on its feet and he wants to do this by improving the NHS; as he wants more doctors and nurses. Michael also wants to build more schools and hospitals, as well as making free childcare and cancer prescriptions more accessible. As well as getting people out of poverty.

But, because Michael is the new Prime Minister, he's got a slight problem - The Press. Michael doesn't want to give the press anything personal about either himself, his family or his staff. But, he will give them any information regarding his policies. Michael's ideal of ignoring the press soon changes; as his daughter, Ellie makes the headlines. To get Ellie off the press radar he enlists the help of Scott, who is the Press Officer at Downing Street. Together Scott and Michael formulate a plan, but to do this Scott needs a juicy story, so then he can silence the press about Ellie.

Some weeks later Michael is rehearsing for Prime Minister's Questions and because its his first ever time he has several members of his staff with him, as he needs to get a feeling of what its going to be like; as Scott is trying to 'toughen up' Michael. But, during the rehearsals Denis arrives, as both Scott and Michael want to see him, and this is because someone has leaked the names of celebrities who might be on the Honours List, and Michael wanted the names of the people who might be on the honours list to be as classified as possible, due to it being a delicate area, as he doesn't wanted it to be leaked early. Because of this both Michael and Scott make Denis feel like a liability. Also, Michael has told Scott to "Keep some stories handy", as he doesn't want a repeat of what happened to Ellie. Around lunchtime a defence meeting takes place about the conflict in the Middle East and Michael wants to withdraw the troops from the Middle East, as the only reason the UK defence agencies are over there is to make the Americans look good. During the senior staff meeting it is revealed that General Hume has set out a departure strategy to bring the troops back to the UK from the Middle East. Also, during the meeting we find out that an ex-minister has only gone and published a book, and its being serialised over the next four weeks in 'The Observer'.

During the annual party at Downing Street, Michael is casually chatting away to the Curator from Chequers; and Michael isn't happy living there, as it isn't ideal for either him or his family. Also, during the party an argument takes place between Michael and Sally regarding Scott, and Michael defends Scott; because Scott is only doing what he's being asked of him, which is to protect Michael and his family. Sally can't work with Scott, as she thinks he is damaging Michael's reputation; even though Scott has done a lot of positive things for the Prime Minister, and his family.

Some time later, Michael agrees to give an interview to the press, but with Scott present. But, Michael only wants to give information about policies, not gossip about either himself, his family or his staff, regardless of the fact that is what the general public want to read about.

A few months later, Michael sadly doesn't get re-elected as Prime Minister. But he leaves Downing Street alongside his family with his head held high.

Act One of 'Feed the Beast' is extremely fast paced, and it doesn't seem like 45 minutes, as it went really quickly for me.
    I really enjoyed watching the second scene, as this is when Michael is still settling into Downing Street. The bedrooms are small, but then the dining room "You could land a plane in". Even the thought of having Margaret Thatcher sitting on the same loo has him freaks him out a bit.
  Another scene I enjoyed watching was when Michael told Sally of his plan to ignore the press. Michael doesn't mind the idea of the press having a bit of fun, but he doesn't want them setting the agenda for Downing Street. As Michael wants to run the country, but he doesn't want to be the gossip headline.

Act Two of 'Feed the Beast' isn't as fast as the first act, but it opens up with a cracker; as Michael is being hurled insults by members of staff and this is because they are giving him a feel for his first ever Prime Minister's Questions. This actually put a smile on my face, because you don't expect the Prime Minister to be insulted from anyone, especially members of his own staff.
  Another one of my favourite scenes is when Michael is discussing living in Chequers with the Curator, because Michael doesn't find the home of Chequers to be all that accommodating and family friendly.

The Doctor Who inspired scene changes are also worth noting, as I've never seen anything like this in a theatre production before. With projections of social media and fast paced music to add to the effect.

'Feed the Beast' is a fast, energetic political drama, with some brilliant one liners. The cast bring to life this production of political madness by having bundles of energy and the ability to work as a team.