January Favourites

God it has been months since I posted a monthly favourite post but here are my January plus maybe a few from December.

I have been loving Maddox Street by Nails Inc this month I haven't really worn anything else on my fingers. I think that this looks amazing with my slightly faded black jeans which I have been wearing to death - hence the fading. Hopefully when the spring hits I will be lusting after something lighter or brighter or I might actually have a problem.

Another product I can't get enough of this month has been Treacle Moon Warm Cinnamon Nights it smells divine and find myself randomly sniffing the bottle when I go into the bathroom.  I don't know if these are still available in my local Tesco but if they are I might have to buy another one.

I have also fallen head over heals for the Dr Jart+ Regenerating BB cream, I still haven't bought the full size yet and it is even on offer at the moment in boots.com but am desperately trying to use up my Benefit tinted moisturiser first as I know I won't touch it again if I buy this.  I know most people wear heavier foundations in the winter but my skin has been so dry this winter  I wanted to give my poor parched skin some additional moisture. Although think I may have found the answers to my skin prayers but will keep you posted.

My last beauty favourite is this gorgeous little palette I got from my best friend I think the Christmas before last (or maybe my birthday) The shades are all shimmery and think the selection of neutral shades is really good. There are a couple of more dramatic shades for a evening out or for those a bit more daring. I have been wearing daily for work and have been impressed by the pigmentation and staying power. I do need to use a primer but I have really oily lids. Maybe if I am feeling brave I will do a FOTD post.

My favourite song recently has been Diamonds by Alex Goot I again prefer his cover to the original and must have listened to it at least a hundred times. I wish I could sing, in my head I sound like Julia on this track but I have been informed that I sound more like a dying cat!

My favourite blog I have discovered in the last few months is missbudgetbeauty.co.uk she seems so down to earth and I am so envious of her make up collection. Oh and her son Milo is so cute too.

My last favourite is an app for my iPad Mini. I was very lucky to be given my iPad mini as an unexpected Christmas present and was seriously excited to try it out but must admit I am a bit disappointed.  I mainly use the internet for watching YouTube and reading blogs.  I have no issues with YouTube but the find the two apps I have for blogging awful. They are Bloglovin' which was my preferred method for following blogs and Blogger.  Has anyone else got any better apps for reading and writing blogs? 

I seemed to have gone off topic I do love iBooks so far I have only downloaded Emma by Jane Austen which I will finish one day and The Great Gatsby as really want to read the book before seeing the film.  I was dubious about the app as have heard a lot of people say that it isn't great for reading for long periods on the iPad due to the bright screen and that I would be better to get a bog standard Kindle but so far so good.  I am hoping that I will be able to really start and make head way on The Big Read as many of the books are free.

What are you favourite apps?

Beauty Haul

I hit the shops yesterday and treated myself to some beauty products so thought I would share what I purchased with you guys.

The first thing I got is the Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub I have been after this since watching missglamorazzi's video. Also with the cold snap that has hit the UK feel that is a must have.  I can't find this online but there were plenty in the Norwich store.

I have also been wanting some MUA cream blushers since seeing them feature on Sprinkle Of Glitter's blog and falling in love with my MAC Style blusher.  I picked up Yummy and Blossom I am a bit of newbie when it comes to blusher so who knows how I will get on, but for £2 each who cares.

If you read my post on Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector you will know that I was debating purchasing the full size or the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair well I picked the Estee Lauder after doing some research and read the review on viviannadoesmakeup.com, the sales lady also said that Estee Lauder accepts returns if I wasn't happy.  I think I got a bit of bargain I was ready to purchase the 30ml bottle and the sales lady told me that they had a special gift set which includes the 30ml plus two other products for the same price, then to make it even better told me if I nipped across the road and bought a Daily Mail paper I would get 10% off.  Off I popped bought the paper got £4.40 off, I also had a Debenhams gift card for £35 so only handed over £4.60.  The two gifts I received were 15ml Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging Creme and 5ml of Advanced Night Repair Eye. I can't find this set online but would definitely recommend going to your nearest counter to see if they have it.

I also picked up the much talked about Hydaluron which is another product used by Anna but the main reason I purchased is seeing Caroline Hirons rave review here as after reading her Dry or Dehydrated Cheat Sheet decided that my skin is dehydrated. I am hoping that this will help.  This is exclusive to boots.com I believe, luckily I had some vouchers for my local shopping centre so used to purchased as it ain't cheap.

The final product I treated myself to was a recommendation from mezmadeup.blogspot.co.uk and is the Superdrug Hot Cloth Cleanser, I got the Vitamin E version for the bargain price of £4.99 I can't wait to try this out as love my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish but not the price.

Has anyone tried any of these?

Freebie Friday - Balance Me Balancing Face Moisturiser

I got this with the August edition of Glamour and was looking forward to trying this out. On the blurb on the back it claims to 'smooth away the years and add radiance to dull complexions' and lets face it who doesn't want that. 

The first thing I have to mention is the smell, be warned its strong and I personally don't find it very pleasant. I am sure that there are people out there who would love it. It reminds me of old fashioned aromatherapy oils. I do think you become somewhat immune to the scent as at first I did think I might have to throw the product out but now it doesn't bother me as much.

It is quite a light texture and does absorb quickly into the skin but I do not find this to be particularly hydrating - after reading beautymouth.com I think I may have dehydrated skin. The thing I find most strange about this product is that my skin actually feels better before I use this.  I notice this mostly in the evening after cleansing with my Super Facialist Cleanser my skin feels smooth and soft but when I put this on my skin feels less plump and hydrated. I don't know how that works but I have also noticed that my forehead has got worse again with my make up looking patchy after a few hours and my forehead feeling oily by the end of the day.

With regards to the claims made, I don't think it made my skin look radiant or any younger, but it might do on the right skin type. I am glad I got to try this out before buying as I just don't think that is suitable for my skin.  It does say its for normal to combination skin which I thought my skin was but maybe not.

I am planning on buying a few products that Caroline recommends for dehydrated skin with my Christmas money and obviously I will let you know what I got and if they work.

You can pick this up for £24 for 50ml from lookfantastic.com

What's In My Bathroom - Treacle Moon Warm Cinnamon Nights

I got this just after Christmas after reading a post on missbudgetbeauty.co.uk and to be honest wasn't expecting to like it as much as I do. I means its 500ml of bath and shower gel for £2.99 but I actually really love this.  I like the packaging its smells amazing (to me it smells like a freshly opened pack of sweets) and is a decent shower gel and bubble bath.

Now its is unfair to expect it to be as nourishing as Molton Brown or other high end bathroom products but for the price is great I use with a shower puff and it lathers up well and doesn't dry out my skin. I also find that the scent doesn't linger on the skin too long which is great when you want to use other fragrances. In the bath I do use quite a bit but you don't really mind when you pay such a small price for half a littre.

I have used over a third but then have been using generously daily in the shower as well as in the bath and know that my boyfriend has also tried. I don't mind but I do mind him using my Phillip Kingsley shampoo which is over £40 but that is another matter.

I am seriously impressed with this brand, this isn't part of the their normal line but is still available on tesco.com and have seen at my local store (had to remember the number of shower gels I have stashed away at home or I might have bought a few)

I will definately trying out more from this brand and have my eye on Lemonade Days (maybe in the spring)

Nails - Maddox Street Nails Inc

Firstly let me apologise for the state of my cuticles I must start using my Nails Inc Vitamin E Oil which I got for Christmas anyway I have been absolutely loving Maddox Street by Nails Inc recently. After Christmas and New Year I was getting fed up of red and glitter on my nails so had a hunt through my collection to see what other winter shades I had and found this. I think I got it the Christmas before last from my mum along with some other mini shades but had never tried.  

It is a gun metal grey and after thinking about falling out of love with Nails Inc (really not been interested in any of their new releases and finding some polishes just too thick and prone to bubbling) this has restored my faith.  I think I might be because it is a mini you get less on your brush so you apply a thinner layer but it goes on like a dream no bubbling, excellent coverage, still only needs two coats and doesn't highlight any ridges or imperfections. 

This has worked its way into my work uniform of black jeans, black boots and thick baggy jumper, it honestly looks amazing with my slightly faded black jeans.

I have used with my Kensington Caviar Base Coat and Albert Bridge Top Coat

You can pick this up from nailsinc.com for £11 and I am seriously considering buying for when I finish my mini 

Freebie Friday - Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector

I got this with the October issue of Instyle and was very excited to try it out after not being overly impressed with Origins Plantscription Anti Aging Serum. I had to look online for guidance as the 7ml sample size had no information on the back. I found that you are meant to use three drops twice a day to 'visibly reduce lines and wrinkles whilst repairing UV / Photo damage to the skin and improves texture for a smoother younger looking appearence.' 

One issue with the freebie is that it didnt have a dispenser so wasn't sure how much product three drops was. I didn't notice any smell with this product and it  sunk into the skin quickly.  I noticed that my skin did feel smoother after using this I am not sure whether my fine lines have reduced but I did feel that this has improved the texture of my skin.

As I said I am not sure whether this has made any difference to my fine lines, some days it does look better, other days i am tempted to get botox! I don't know if anything will actually get rid of them once the little buggers have appeared but I did feel that this made a difference to my skin.

That said I don't know if I will get the full size I am so confused about skincare at the minute, I am not sure what products I should on my skin now I am getting older.  I have been tempted to try Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair but the smallest size is £44 so bit of an expensive gamble especially when I have enjoyed using this and seen a difference in my skin. Is anyone else as confused as I am?

You can pick this up from .clinique.co.uk for £39.50 for 30ml with free p&p

Super Facialist By Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Cleanser

If you have read my blog before you will know I love Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish I have been happily going through a tube a month until I realised that it would cost me over £150 a year to cleanse my skin!  I knew it wasn't a cheap product and it is amazing but  I just can't get over the annual cost!  I have therefore been on a mission to find a cheaper alternative.  I still intend to always have some Cleanse and Polish in my stash but to be used only as a treat - so the hunt began.

I know that Boots and Superdrug both have their own verison so decided to pop into Boots one night after work.  The No7 version was not in store so decided to see what else I could find.  There were loads and I did start to wish I had done a bit of research.  I then came across Super Facial by Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Cleanser as soon as I saw it I remembered that this had featured in a post from amodelrecommends.com it was also on offer, so decided to snap it up.

I didn't realise until I got home and read Ruth's post again that this was part of a double cleanse routine, but decided that replacing one product with two probably wasn't going to save any pennies so gave it ago.

It is quite thick and very heavily scented - of you guessed it Rose, but I love the smell. It doesn't foam and can go over the eye area.  It is not as good as removing heavy eye make up and mascara - but think that is when you should use the oil, but for every day make up is fine.

The next thing I am about to say is obvious as it has hydrating in the name but it really does hydrate the skin a lot more then Liz Earle so anyone with oily skin I would suggest looking at the other cleansers in the range. This does leave my skin very soft and smooth and is a hit for the winter when my skin needs the added hydration but not sure if it would be as good in the summer when my skin can get a bit oiler.

I am really impressed with this product I have been using for well over a month as wanted to give it a real trial before reviewing and for the price is amazing.  It retails at £8.99 for 150ml  I worked out if I was only to use this for a year it would cost £72 annually.  I am definately going to get another one of these but still want to try the hot cloth cleansers from Boots and Superdrug.

You can pick this up at boots.com for £5.99 at the moment usually £8.99 for 150ml

Sample Sunday - Rimmel BB Cream

After loving the Dr Jart+ BB Cream I decided to use the other BB sample I had before heading off to the shops.  I got a sample of the Rimmel BB Cream in a magazine a few months ago.

The first thing I noticed with this is that it had seemed to have separated,  I am not sure whether this is meant to be like this or I got a dodgy one or I had stashed away too long but it didn't fill me with confidence. The texture wasn't as thick as the Dr Jart and I did try and mix before slapping on my face.

There seems to only be two shades light and medium and I had light and this was way too orange for me, I do have fair skin but this was seriously orange no amount of blending was going to make it look ok.  I also know that I am no way near the palest of the pale so pale skin ladies beware.

Anyway colour aside I wanted to see how it lived up to its claims and whether cheaper BB creams could be as good as Dr Jart.  It says its primes, moisturises, minimisers pores, conceals, covers, smoothes, mattifies, brightens and helps protect.  First niggle about that claim aren't conceals and covers the same?

As with the Dr Jart I moisturised but did not prime just to make it fair.  This is not as easy to blend and you feel like you are using a lot of product as a result.  As for minimising pores this seemed to highlight every pore in my face and I am now paranoid about my pores on my cheeks.  I also didn't like the way this seemed to sit on my skin especially around my nose it just went a bit heavy and cakey. I still needed a concealer to cover some blemishes and the darkness around my eyes but did have more coverage then I was expecting.

This did have good staying power I wore for around 7-8 hours and it didn't go patchy or shiny but didn't really notice my skin looking brighter (apart from the orange)

Using this has made me even more desperate to buy the Dr Jart+ however I am trying to use up  my Benefit tinted moisturiser first as trying to stick to my New Years Resolutions

You can pick this up at boots.com for £4.99 at the moment usually £6.99

Haul - What I have bought in the Sales

I haven't been overly impressed with the sales this year (on the high street)  I am trying not to look online as I always go a bit crazy, so far I have bought the below.

I went into Boots with high hopes and only bought one thing the No7 Skincare Treats Set which was half price at £8.00 included was

• Headband bit random
• 30ml of the Beautiful Skin Eye Make-Up Remover, I have been meaning to buy an eye make up remover for removing the lashings of mascara I wear for a night out.
• 50ml of the Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser which is the reason I bought this, although I do love Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish the No7 version cheaper so wanted to try it it
• Muslin Face Cloth
• 25ml of the Beautiful Skin Day Cream in Normal/Dry
• 25ml of the Beautiful Skin Night Cream in Normal/Dry, this is another product I can't wait to try as I really got into Night creams recently

Next is Treacle Moon Warm Cinnamon Nights Bath and Shower Gel, now this wasn't technically bought in the sales (but its my blog so I don't care) I saw a post on this from missbudgetbeauty.co.uk and when I nipped in to Tesco's to get some half price Christmas Puddings (I love Christmas pudding) I sniffed this and knew I had to have it. It smells so good, to me its like a bag of sweets and I can't stop smelling it.  I have never tried any Treacle Moon products so will report back.  This is limited edition so if you like the sound get yourself to Tesco and give it smell.  It is £2.99 for 500ml from tesco.com

The last three things aren't beauty products and one of them wasn't technically in the sale but there you go.

The first is Magic Mike I saw this at the cinema and well it is a treat for the eyes, if you want a good storyline with some top class acting maybe pick something else. If you like looking at hot men with very little on then this is for you. I got this from Asda for £10

I went to HMV and bought Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Roman Reloaded and to be honest was disappointed. All the good songs have been released and the rest are a bit repetitive and out there for my taste.  Wish I hadn't bothered really, might just shove on ebay, as the sticker suggests was £5 from hmv.com

Lastly got Example Evolution of Man, I got this as I am thinking about seeing him on my birthday but wasn't sure whether I liked him enough (if that even makes sense) well I like this album I really like Perfect Replacement. Say Nothing and We'll Be Coming Back that said the others are pretty descent too and there are none which you have to skip.  Again this was £5 from hmv.com

Now I just have to find someone to go see Example with me.

November + December Empties

I have quite a few empties as I missed posting November's so here goes

Baylis & Harding Wild Rose & Raspberry Leaf Hand Wash this has lasted ages and have been very impressed with this. The packaging is very similar Molton Brown's, obviously I would love to have a Molton Brown hand wash but at £16 for 300ml I just can't justify spending that much. This is £2.00 for 500ml so brilliant value for money. Also love the scent it smells like a fruit tea, isn't overpowering and doesn't dry out your hands. I have already repurchased from tesco.com but have also seen in Boots and Debenhams too.

No7 Luxurious Foaming Shower Oil I am quite sad to have used this up as it does leave your skin very soft. Beware this doesn't really foam and the smell could be a bit more 'luxurious' but I did like using it. I am not sure whether I will repurchase as at £9.95 is quite expensive for what it is, but they often have 3-4-2 on No7 and those £5 vouchers so might buy again.

VO5 Blow Dry Lotion Amplifying Volume has been hanging around for ages but was determined to use up, as soon as I started using again remembered why it has been thrown back in my stash. I am sorry but I can't think of much nice to say about this product, the main problem with this is the spray head. When you use instead of a nice fine mist you just get one squirt that fires out, a few strands get drenched and that it is about it. I found it sticky so couldn't brush through and to be honest didn't add any volume to my hair. If anyone has any suggestions on what to use to get some volume in my fine hair please let me know. It seems that this has been repacked, and you can pick up from boots.com for £3.89

Nivea Dry Confidence not much to say about this, does seem to be kind to armpits, does leave white marks (although doesn't make claim not to) and doesn't smell too strong. Is currently on offer at boots.com

Soap & Glory Mist You Madly love this, it smells gorgeous, lasts well and is a bargain at £3.50 for 100ml. I am sure I will repurchase this at some point but at the moment trying to use up all those opened products I have floating around. Cannot recommend this enough though.

The Body Shop Lychee Blossom Body Butter probably not the scent for winter but this with the shower oil has left my skin super smooth and soft. Unfortunately this line is no longer available but do love The Body Shop Body Butters, I have a lot of body lotions to use up but will definitely get some more Body Butters in the futures. Which are your favourites?

Molton Brown Relaxing Yuan Zhi Bath & Shower this was gifted to me as part of a set and this was my second favourite scent, the best being Coco de Mer. Anyway this really is a luxurious bath treat, you don't need much and can use in the bath or shower. I like to use in the bath best really is calming and relaxing, if followed up with the Coco de Mer body lotion your skin is left feeling gorgeous. You can get this from moltonbrown.co.uk for £18 for 300ml I might ask for this for my birthday as is a lovely treat.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion I got this with my Naked Palette I used to use Clinique Touch Base for Eyes in Canvas Light but found that it dried out quickly and became crumbly.  I was going to repurchase this as works like a dream with my Naked Palette, but not quite so well with other brands. I have therefore bought the NARS smudge proof eyeshadow base which I am testing now.  My eyelids are very oily and as I said this works perfectly with Urban Decay shadows. You can get this from beautybay.com for £13.05 (in the sale)

No7 Advanced Hydration Night Cream this was in my September Favourites post and I have noticed my skin looking and feeling better since using this again.  It adds just the right amount of moisture to my skin without waking up with greasy skin, I will definitely buy another night cream my skin obviously needs more moisture at night. This is no longer available but I do have another No7 Night Cream to try.

Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes I used to use wipes everyday morning and night but since started reading beauty blogs have heard that they aren't great for your skin.  I now only try and use them when I am in a serious rush or to take my make up off before cleansing. These past few months I have been using them more and more which is naughty.  These are ok, I have the oil balancing as my boyfriend also uses them and has very oily skin and my skin in the summer is normal/combination. You can pick these up from boots.com for £3.20

Nivea Refreshing Facial Cleansing Wipes again not really sure what you can say about a cleansing wipe, I do prefer the smell of these but other then that don't have much to say on them. You can get these from  boots.com for £2.99

Well that seemed a very long post, I am looking forward to finally chucking these out, is a bit weird hoarding your rubbish but strangely satisfying seeing what you have used up.

New Years Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone.  Is it just me that is a little superstitious about it being 2013! Anyway usually I set one or two goals for the coming year as I find having a couple of big goals to work towards easier to manage. Last years were to get a new job and lose weight.  I hit my target weight in March thanks to Slimming World (on a side note was thinking about doing a post about Slimming World tips, but not sure, let me know if you would want to see this) and I finally got a new job in September.  I absolutely love my new job and has made me so much happier.

Anyway my two goals for 2013 are keep going with my AAT level 4.  Unfortunately I won't finish the course in 2013 but I want to keep going it is hard but it will be worth it.

My second is to sort out my finances. I am very lucky not to be in any kind of debt, but at the end of the month I never have a penny to my name.  I want to start thinking more about what I am buying and try to start saving.

As well as these two main goals I want to set myself three goals for each month, I did try Sprinkle of Glitters.7 Things but never managed to do all seven so here are January's

Get back to Target I am currently not anywhere near my target weight after Christmas and New Year so  want to get back to it. I have been through all my old Slimming World magazines and cut out any good recipes and put them on index cards. This morning we went shopping bought nothing naughty and have planned a week of healthy filling meals.

Get into a routine I have so many things I want to/have to do, study, work, blog, spend time with my boyfriends etc. I think I need to try and get into a routine instead of trying to cram it all in at the weekends, as they are just too short.

Relax before Christmas I was so stressed that I ended up having endless colds being very spotty, and generally feeling rubbish.  This month I want to try and look after myself and relax more.

What are your New Years Resolutions or goals for the future?