Taking Some Time Out

Hi everyone,

I'm just letting you that I'm taking some time out from blogging for a few months, as I really need to take a step back and get myself back to being myself again.

So, the plan is to be back up and running at the beginning of May. I do have a few things lined up for when I'm back to normal.

If anything changes I will let you all know beforehand.

Lots of Love

Lauren xx

Review: Elemis Rehydrating Range

Hi everyone,

I have been using the Elemis Rehydrating cleanser and toner for a good few months, so I thought I would review them for you.

Elemis Rose Petal Rehydrating Cleanser

I have been using the Elemis Rose Petal Rehydrating cleanser as part of my morning skincare routine, and I'm really enjoying using it.

The Elemis Rose Petal Rehydrating cleanser has a lovely lightweight formula, as well as a very subtle rose scent.

Claims

- Hydrating & nourishing rose petal infused cleanser effectively removes make up and daily build up of skin pollutants

- Unique in texture

- Lecithin, Vitamins E & F are blended with rose petal flower water top hydrate and purify the skin; restoring a clean and radiant complexion

I don't use this cleanser to remove my make up, so I don't know how effective it is for that purpose. But I do use it as an actual skincare cleansing step. This cleanser works well as an hydrating cleanser, as it does remove any build up that the skin may have developed overnight. I also find this to be a very refreshing cleanser to use due to the rosewater.

Elemis Rehydrating Ginseng Toner

I have been using the Elemis Rehydrating Ginseng Toner as part of my morning skincare routine, and I'm really enjoying it.

The Elemis Rehydrating Ginseng Toner has a lovely refreshing spritz, as well as a mild ginseng fragrance.

Claims

- This nourishing toner effectively tones the skin; rebalances its pH level and preserves the natural oils without the use of alcohol or harsh detergents

- Extracts of Korean Ginseng, Quillaja wood and Sweet Betty Flower help to revitalise and moisturise skin, leaving a radiant and hydrated complexion.

The Elemis Rehydrating Ginseng Toner does give the skin an extra boost of hydration. Its ideal to use as part of a skincare routine and/ or as a boost of hydration throughtout the day.

Review: Clinique 'Take the Day Off' Cleansing Balm

Hi everyone,

I have been using the Clinique 'Take the Day Off' Cleansing Balm for a few months, so I thought I would share my thoughts on it with you.

This has become my favourite cleansing balm to use as a 'first cleanse' in my skincare routine.

I really like using this cleansing balm as you only need to use a very small amount to get the job done, it rinses off easily with warm water and it also leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated.

Its also worth mentioning that because you need to use a small amount of this cleansing balm; it actually works out to be good value for money as a tub of this is going to last you around 4 - 6 months.

Claims

- Lightweight cleansing balm quickly dissolves stubborn eye and face make up

- Transforms from a solid balm to a silky fluid oil upon application

- Cleanses thoroughly and rinses off completely

- Suitable for all skin types

The Clinique 'Take the Day Off' cleansing balm has a lovely smooth consistency that melts into the skin straight away.

I'm really impressed with how effective this cleansing balm is, as it does rinse off completely clean and I also like that it leaves my skin just ever so slightly moisturised.

My M.A.C Lipstick Collection

Hi everyone,

Over the last year my M.A.C lipstick collection has grown a little bit, so I thought I would share with you the shades and finishes. The shade descriptions I have taken from the M.A.C UK website, and I have tried to do the photography as true to colour as I possibly could. 

Speed Dial

This is described as a 'light blue pink', and on me its slightly brighter and more pink than my natural lip colour. But at the same time its still a very wearable shade. The shade 'Speed Dial' is also a cremesheen finish.

Snob

This is described as a 'light neural pink', and this pulls a bit too cool on me especially if I wear a lip liner underneath it. The only way that I wear this lipstick is without a lip liner, and this makes it a little more wearable. The shade 'Snob' is a satin finish.

Rebel

The is described as a 'midtonal cream plum', and this is one of the very few vampy shades which I own. So I rarely wear it. On me it pulls a darkish berry shade. The shade 'Rebel' is also a satin finish.

Syrup

This is described as a 'cloudy pink', and on me this is identical to my natural lip colour; which makes the ideal shade to wear everyday. The shade 'Syrup' is a lustre finish.

Plumful

This is described as a 'blooming rose pink', and this is also the lipstick wear I started to get into wearable mauve and berry shades. Even though this looks dark in the bullet; its actually quite a wearable shade, and one of my favourite MAC lipsticks that I own. The shade 'Plumful' is also a lustre finish.

Impassioned

This is described as an 'amped up fuchsia', and this isn't one for everyday wear. But it is nice to wear during the spring and summer months, as it is a very bright coral pink. The shade 'Impassioned' is an amplified creme finish.

Girl About Town

This is described as a 'bright blue fuchsia', and this is nice to wear when we are transitioning into Autumn as its still quite a wearable pink. This is one of my lovely colleagues favourite lipsticks to wear. The shade 'Girl About Town' is an amplified creme finish.

Craving

This is described as a 'burst of plum', and this is also a very wearable berry shade. This is also another favourite M.A.C lipstick that I own, even though I haven't owned it that long. The shade 'Craving' is also an amplified creme finish.

Insanely It (Discontinued)

I also own a Sheen Supreme lipstick in the shade 'Insanely It', and sadly the sheen supreme line of lipsticks got discontinued a few years ago.

Review: Kiehl's Cilantro & Orange Extract Anti-Pollutant Defending Mask

Hi everyone,

I have recently been using the Kiehl's Cilantro & Orange Extract Anti-Pollutant Defending Mask, and I would love to share my thoughts on it with you.

The Kiehl's Cilantro & Orange Extract Anti-Pollutant Defending Mask is an overnight mask. I have tried it once as an overnight mask, and it was just too fussy and messy to use overnight. So what I use for instead is a moisturiser top up during the day if my skin is need of an extra boost of hydration, and if I'm being honest I do prefer to use it this way.

Claims

- Minimise the damaging effects of pollution on the skin

- Nourishing formula replenishes skin leaving it renewed, radiant, and more prepared to protect itself from daily aggressors.

When I have used this mask my skin feels rehydrated, plumped and so much more brighter looking.

Overall, I'm thrilled to bits that I have managed to find an alternative way to use this mask, as it does do wonders for my skin when its feeling dehydrated.

My 2017 Discoveries

Hi everyone,

I thought I would share with you the discoveries I have made during 2017.

Kiehl's
During 2017 I started to explore more of Kiehl's skincare. Some of the products I like from Kiehl's are the Ultra Facial range, Daily Reviving Concentrate, and the Cillantro & Orange Extract Anti-Pollution Defending Mask. I will continue to explore more into Kiehl's during 2018.

Clinique
During 2017 I also started to look more into Clinique as I had heard a lot of positive reviews regarding the 'Moisture Surge' range. I have also gone through a pot of the original 'All About Eyes' eye cream, and I'm currently using my second. I would really like to explore more into the 'Moisture Surge' range during 2018.

MAC Volcanic Ask Exfoliator
This is a fantastic manual exfoliator from MAC, as its one that gets the job done without too much effort. Also a little bit goes a very lomg way.

Lush Rehab Shampoo
This has become my favourite shampoo to use, as it has worked wonders for my hair andit doesn't strip it of its natural oils. This is one shampoo that I will continue to repurchase.

Lush Retrad Conditioner
This has become my favourite conditioner to use from Lush alongside the Rehab shampoo. This combination is amazing for my hair as it works wonders, plus it also makes my hair smell like Palma Violets.

Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Serum
This is an antioxidant serum from Caudalie that I use as part of my evening skincare routine. My skin is a lot more hydrated and plump after using this serum.

'The Only Way is Melts' by Tracy
This has become my favourite place to purchase wax melts from and its also local to me. The scents are amazing and the scent throw is outstanding. I will continue to purchase my wax melts from Tracy on a regular basis.

I really hoped that you enjoyed reading my discoveries from 2017. Lets see what 2018 has in store 

Review: Sephora Favourites 'Give Me Some Nude Lip' Set

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased the Sephora Favourites 'Give Me Some Nude Lip' set, and I thought I would share with you on what I thought of each of the lip products inside.

Anastacia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss in 'Kristen'

The Anastacia lipgloss has a lovely lightweight formula, which on me lasts quite a while. The shade 'Kristen' is slightly darker than my natural lip colour, which makes it an ideal nude lipgloss for myself.

Marc Jacobs Enamoured Hi-Shine Lip Lacquer in 'Sugar Sugar'

The Marc Jacobs lip lacquer has a slightly thicker formula than the Anastacia lipgloss, but it also has a lovely mint flavour. The shade 'Sugar Sugar' is very pale on and it actually makes look a little bit 'dead' due to my fair complexion. This is one lip product that I need to see if I can get it to work for me.

NARS Velvet Lip Glide in 'Bound'

The NARS velvet lip glides have a lightweight, moussey texture, and they apply to lips beautifully. The shade 'Bound' is just ever slightly darker than my natural lip colour. Also the NARS velvet lip glides do have a matte finish, but they are also really comfortable to wear and not drying on the lips.

Tarte Lippie Lingerie Matte Tint in 'Revealed'

As much as I would have liked to try these, the shade was way too dark for me to be able to 'pull it off'. But, I have passed it on to someone who will get more wear out of it than I would.

Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy in 'Spice Girl'

This took me by surprise as I didn't think I would be able to handle the lip injection formula from Too Faced, and it turned out that I was fine throughout the whole experience. I did notice a little bit of lip plumping action, and the gloss remains on the lips for quite a while. The Too Faced lip injection glossy does have quite a thick formula, but once it has been applied to the lips it does take about a minute for the lip injection phase to start. The shade 'Spice Girl' is a very natural lip shade, and it just gives the lips a nice glossy look.

Urban Decay VICE Liquid Lipstick in 'Trivial'

This is a lovely lightweight liquid lipstick formula that doesn't actually budge when you try to remove it with normal make up remover. To remove this from your lips you need to use something that is oil based. Be careful when layering these up as they can cake up just a little bit on the lips. The shade 'Trivial' in the tube looks as if it has a bit of shimmer too it, but when its applied it goes on completely matte. 'Trivial' is also a 'my lips but better' shade on me.

Overall, I'm thrilled to bits with the Sephora Favourites 'Give Me Some Nude Lip' set, as most of the products work for me and my natural lip colour, which I wasn't expecting.

My favourite lip products out of this set are the NARS velvet lip glide, Anastacia lip gloss and the Too Faced lip injection glossy.