My Skincare Basket

I like to keep a lot of my skincare in this handy little basket beside my bedroom mirror. Aside from bathroom related items (cleansers, masks, etc). I do most of my skincare in my bedroom so it makes sense to keep everything I use on hand. Here's a quick run down on each product and my thoughts. 

I have other toners that I prefer to The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Toner, but I've had this bottle in my collection for a while now so want to get through it. Its nice as it doesn't strip your skin and feels hydrating without being greasy, just a nice little step between cleansing and moisturising.

I got the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with a Feel Unique order, and get the feeling its trying to be like the Caudalie Beauty Elixir, which Ive never tried so cant really compare. I just keep this here to use it up, its nice but I dont feel as though I ever need to reach for it.

I couldnt be without my Alpha H Liquid Gold, every blogger and their dog raves about this and for good reason. I use it every other night before bed as a treatment without moisturising after and the next morning my skin looks glowing and fresh. Magic.

The Anti-Blemish Skinetica is another sample product kept here to use up. I havent noticed any magical spot fighting results so use it as a toner when my face feels a little oily which it is alright at doing. Its nothing special to me though.

The Origins Super Spot Remover works like a dream at reducing redness and spot size, and fast. This iny bottle has lasted me forever, you only need a tiny bit. It gives that stinging feeling whic to me means its doing something and it quickly gives results, even reducing any soreness I may have from a spot.

The Dermalogica Clean Start Dream Matte Moisturiser is yet another sample to be used up. Im not the biggest fan of it in terms of how little moisture it provides, but like the matte finish for days in the house when Im not putting on makeup. This would probably suit those with much oilier skin than mine better.

You've probably heard me raving on and on about the Origins Vitazing before, so Ill keep it brief. Its a fab base for summertime giving a nice tint to the skin, Im even breaking it out now on sunnier spring-time days.

The Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser is a staple for me, its fairly basic and kind for my skin and can always be relied upon to give a nice hydrated feeling to the skin. I dont really feel the need to try anything other than this.

Im coming to the end of my tub of Origins Ginzing Eye Cream and will certainly be repurchasing. Its a great eye cream for mornings with its brightening, light reflecting formula which I find really brightens up my under eye area. 

I just use this old Batiste lid to hold a few cotton buds, I use these for so many things when Im getting ready so its just really handy to have a few on hand to get rid of any mascara smudges or other "emergencies". I like to keep a little mascara wand there too for when I do my brows, just so I always know where it is. 

I love the feeling the Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub gives to my lips, leaving them super silky and soft. I rarely use this though as it can be a bit of a faff and the sugar gets everywhere (maybe Im just clumsy). It tastes amazing too.

I rely so much on my Johnsons Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads. I only need to use them on days where Ive worn heavier eye makeup but just find theyre so convenient, especially after a night out! The pre-soaked cotton pads work wonders at breaking down mascara and liner and dont sting my eyes at all, fantastic.

The Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins is my absolute favourite night cream. It smells amazing and feels so nourishing when applied to the skin. Its a step I really enjoy before bed because it feels like Im doing my skin some good (wierd?). I always wake up with lump soft skin the next morning, another compete staple to my skincare routine. 

I keep this little tin of good old fashioned Nivea Creme handy as I sometimes use it as a moisture mask. I just whack a load of it on if my skins feeling dry if I have a few hours before going to bed and just let it soak in gradually. Goodbye pesky dry patches!

Another Origins product Im obsessed with comes in the form of Eye Doctor, my moisturising eye cream I use at night. I odnt need the brightening properties off Ginzing for bed so find this hydrating option more suitable. Another product where I feel Im being kind to my skin when applying it. 

I keep the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream For Face With SPF 50 (such a mouthful) n hand to encourage me to apply SPF. I must admit I often skip this step but do like the product when I remember to use it.

The Clarins Facial Self Tanner is amazing for giving your face a lovely healthy tanned glow. Its not scarily dark, never goes patchy and can e slotted nicely into your skincare routine after cleansing. Theres nothing I dont love about it.

Im in the process of trying to use up the Soap and Glory Bright Here Bright Now. Its basically a brightening light reflecting cream. It does brighten my complexion if its feeling a little dull but I never really reach for it so am just trying to use it up and wont repurchase it.

The Bare Minerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment is a strange product, like a mineral foundation but for going to bed. It actually gives a nice coverage too and doesnt transfer onto pillows which I find strange. That isnt really its main purpose though, it generally improves and brightens your skin in your sleep with its mineral content. I really loved this before I discovered the Liquid Gold and now that does a similar job but on a much more intense level, so I often forget to use this now. I will use it up though as it was stupidly expensive!

Last but not least I have the Mavala Double Lash, which promises to lengthen, strengthen and thicken lashes with nightly use in just 30 days. Im now on to day 28 of using it and ave noticed good results so a review will be coming on this soon.

What products do you think Im missing from my routine and need in my life? Im always open to recommendations of new things to try!

xoxo

Top 5 Products For Soft Lips

Im pretty obsessed with lip balm, and keeping my lips smooth and soft. Chapped or even flaky lips can ruin the look of any lipstick and overall make-up look, and it can just be a little bit gross.

To keep my lips in tip-top condition I use a mixture of these products:

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub: When lips are quite flaky and need a good clean up, a lip balm is just going to smooth over it and not clear away any dead skin. This is where the scrub comes in. Its really simple, just rub a little of it on the lips and rub it in. It leaves my lips super smooth and ready for lipbalm...plus it tastes suggary and amazing. I know it would be much cheaper to make a homemade version of this, theres tutorials of how to make it everywhere, but I got this as a gift so I dont feel too guilty owning it. Before I had this I used to use my toothbrush lightly along my lips to give a similar effect.

Figs and Rouge Balm: Before I go to bed I like to slather on a load of thick balm, and this Figs and Rouge one has been my bedtime balm of choice recently. The plain old Nivea one is also really nice. My lips can dry out quite a bit overnight if I leave them bare, so this works well to stop that from happening. It makes it easier to keep them soft through the daytime as theyre already lovely when you wake up!

Burts Bees Lipbalm: This is the lipbalm I carry around in my handbag most of the time. It smells deliciously of mangos  and its just overall a really nice balm. The stick formula is really easy to apply on the go rather than a tub and its a nice little pick me up for through the day before reapplying any lipstick I may be wearing that day.

Carmex Cherry Lipbalm: This is my balm of choice for under lipsticks. I apply it before I put my makeup on in the morning and by the time I come to lipstick its sunk in sightly and leaves a nice smooth base. I find this the best as its quite thin but very nourishing so sits nicely under lipstick. 

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 03: I am obsessed with this product. Its got the appearance of a gorgeous gloss, with the effects of a lovely balm. Its a great ne for day to day when I dont fancy full lipstick, as it gives a sheer peachy tone but nothing too heavy. It also smells amazing and Im going to give it a full review as it really deserves a full rave about it haha!

xoxo

My Favourite Products of 2011

I realise that this is later than I would have prefered, and I also would have prefered to do this a a video...But Ive currently got tonsilitus and its just not a pretty sight (or sound for that matter). So here it is in blog post form....Theres quite a lot of products in here but Ive truely been loving each and every one of them to death this year! So lets get started...

Brushes...

 ELF Angled Eyeliner Brush - This is perfect for applying gel liner, and so affordable too. The angled part kind of helps to get into the eye better, if that makes sense?!

Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki - The only brush Ive used for foundation since I got it, amazing!! But a bit of a bitch to clean.
ELF Powder Brush - Pretty similar to the Sigma one, good for foundation but brilliant for cream blush, or setting powder

MAC 217 Blending Brush - My best investment this year, really soft, applies eyeshadow like a dream! Absolutely fab for blending as well as applying shadows. I want more of these.

 Face Products...

Firstly I'd like to mention MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Natural as my favourite powder of the year, I ran out and have another en route in the post so dont have it to photograph otherwise it would be here.
MAC Dollymix Blush - Its bright pink, and its beautiful with a light hand, great for both winter and summer.
MAC Blushcreme Ladyblush - The perfect everyday colour, looks incredibly natural on the skin, my fave.

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer - Creamy, long lasting, fab coverage, inexpensive...best concealer ever.

Jemma Kidd Light As Air Foundation - Really blendable, a little goes a long way, feels so lightweight on the skin but gives an amazing coverage and is incredibly long lasting, my ultimate foundation. I even have a back-up....and I never do that with foundations!

Eye Products...

MAC All That Glitters Eyeshadow - I use this over my lid most days, everyone should own this! It will go with any skin tone too, great for a  wash of colour and a flick of liner.

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow - An absolute staple in my collection, the perfect crease colour.

Urban Decay Naked Palette - Need I explain this one? Love it to death, cant wait to try Naked 2!

Avon Supershock Mascara - Loved this for years its amazingly volumising, couldnt be without this in my collection.

ELF Eyeshadow Primer - Its £3 and keeps my eyeshadow in place all day, bloody amazing.

ELF Eyebrow Treat and Tame - I only use the tame side, as a blonde brow gel, its cheap and works well too.

MAC Vintage Selection Paint Pot - Its an unreal primer, and also so pretty alone, Ive worn this to death this year.

Avon Supershock Eyeliner - It sso creamy but doesnt transfer, blackest black ever, this is my third this year! Literally cant see myself trying a different black eye kohl ever.

Maybelleine Gel Liner - Drug store price for a high end quality product. Stays in place all day and goes on a dream, much easier to use than liquid I think.

Lip Products...

Avon Pro-to-go Lipstick in Provocative Plum - Its the perfect "wash" of plummy colour, and is a nice colourul daytime option without being too full on. Lovely.

Carmex Cherry Lipbalm - Simply put, its the most effective lip balm Ive ever came across.

MAC Big Baby Plushglass - You can see how much Ive used this, its a perfect peachy nude and lovely formula, favourite ever lipgloss.
Nars Turkish Delight Lipgloss - Only bought because of Kim Kardashian (ridic.) But its actually bloody gorgeous, and looks great over nude lippie.
No7 Lip Pencil in Plum - These are so cheap with a £5 off No7 voucher and are lovely liners, really soft, I have a few and love them all just decided to picture this one
MAC Girl About Town Lipstick - My favourite night out lipstick, lovely and bright but doesnt look too crazy, I always get compliments when I wear this.
Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Nude Delight - The perfect nude for my skin tone, no concealer lips here! Alsot he formula is super silky and gorgeous.

Skincare...

Firstly, if I could I would include my new Liz Earle products and my Clarisonic in here as they blow all other skincare Ive used out the water, but since I only owned them for 6 days of 2011, I cant really...so these lot are things I have liked, but not as much as my new stuff!

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream with SPF50 - This is my go to sunscreen, which I should use everyday but often forget. Its not greasy or suncream-ish at all, and is really a lovely moisturiser in itself. Applying this once in the morning on holiday protected my face from burning all day. Winner.

S&G Off Your Face Wipes - If you could ever find a face wipe that was really good, this is it. Expensive, but so much nicer than the cheap ones in every way.

Clearasil Seal and Clear Spot Treatment - Slightly gross, but I find this works nicely at reducing any breakouts, especially if I get them as soon as they arrive!

Dermalogica Face Mask & Exfoliant - Boy have I made these babies last me! Teeny samples but Ill never afford the full size. Each use has seen my skin magically so much cleaner and clearer and beautiful. Loveeeee.

Nails...

Barry M Nail Paint in Pink Flamingo - I never had this off my nails all summer, so pretty in the sun with a tan!

Revlon Facets of Fuschia - Love at first sight with this one, so so pretty camera doesnt do it justice.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Top Coat - Pretty awesome topcoat, makes my polish last ages longer! This bottle has gone gloopy now though and its nearly empty, time for a new one!

Barry M Red Glitter Nail Paint - Nothing is more Christmassy than this polish, but I want to wear it nowwww. So pretty it distracts me from things haha.

Hair...

Aussie Aussome Volume Shampoo/Conditioner - I literally cant use anything other than these two when washing my hair or it goes flat as a pancake, used them all year and my hair is still responding nicely. I wont be straying at all in the near future.

Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo - Its cheap and works fine in my blonde hair for freshening it up, I only like the Tropical scent though.

Elnett Hairspray - Its just the best, by far. I love how it brushes out and doesnt leave much build up on your hair at all but still holds a style amazingly. I once had full on curls for 3 days because of this.

The Tangleteezer - The most effective yet gentle brush ever. So kind to my hair, I havent touched another brush since I got this.

John Freider Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray - This has brought a new lease of life to my nautrally dull blonde hair and its such a prettier colour now and I havet had to dye it properly. Savior!

Body, Bath, Etc...

S&G Hand Food - Best hand cream ever, gone through tonnes of this stuff now, Im slightly addicted to it.
S&G The Righteous Butter - I have got the world and his wife using this now, even my good old Nana loves it. Such a silky body butter that works wonders and smells unreal.
Paco Robanne Lady Million - This is my signature scent now. You must all smell it, Im in love with it and barely wear anything else now.
S&G The Breakfast Scrub - Another thing where I wont be straying to sample different brands, this is my favourite scrub by miles. Smells so good I could eat it and does a fabjob at slogging off my dead skin, lovely thought I know!
Lush Pop in the Bath Bubble Bar - Ive been through dozens of these this year, they have a gorgeous fresh smell that Im always in the mood for, lovely bubble bar :)
Rituals Foaming Shower Gel - Only had this a month but really love it. It leaves you feeling super clean and fresh and the foam feels rather luxurious, definately will repurchase it!


Dear me this has taken me SO long to sit and write I think I need a good cup of tea haha. Thanks for reading if you got this far!

xoxo

Lush Haul

Its been ages since I treated myself to some Lush goodies....Christmas was the last time I got anything from there! So once I finished project 20 pan I popped in and picked up a few of my all time favourites along with some products Ive been dying to try for ages....

Dorothy Bubble bar was the first thing I ever ever bought from Lush, and it was love. This is my all time favourite bubble bar and even featured in my first ever blog post, which explains all the scents and everything I like about it (link!).  I love that it turns the bath turquoise blue!

Pop in the Bath is another oldie but goodie for me. I cant help but pick on of these up everytime Im in there. Ive also feautred this one in the post I linked earlier. It smells so fresh and floral but not in an overpowering or old-lady-ish way. Its so cute too, I prefer the pink or blue ones but I got green for a change.

 Rockstar soap is a new discovery for me. Id been hearing loads of good things about it, and I know itsone of their more popular products. Ive never had one of their soaps before so I hope I like it. This smells amazing, kind of like Snow Fairy, so its already off to a good start.

Happy Blooming bath melt is something Ive always picked up and smelt and loved but never bought, until now. I love that it is split into three for three baths. It smells like a mix between cherries and playdoh, strange but quite nostalgic I think. I dont even know what to expect when I put this in the bath so it could be interesting :)

xoxo

Project 10 Pan Progress...#3

I thought it was about time I checked in with another P10P update. So, now I can officially say Ive finished P10P as in this post Ive finished up 6 products, so that takes me to having finished 12 things in total! Im ging to continue it on to be a Project 20 Pan, so so far Ive done 12/20. Heres what I think of the products Ive used up recently....

Soap and Glory Clean on Me Shower Gel is by far my favourite shower gel ever. It smells gorgeous, and gives a lovely lather. It has built in body lotion so I get out the shower feeling clean but not dried out and not greasy either which is really nice. Once I stop using this and use a different one I notice my skin is much more dry, which proves how good this is. This is my second huge bottle and I know Ill buy it again once Im done using up everything else. Love love love this!

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion was an impu;se buy for me on the plane to Majorca. I saw it in the on-flight catalogue and thought I would give it a go. I do really like it, but more as a night time as it leaves a greasy look to my face. A little really goes a long way with this stuff so its good value for money. I wouldnt say I was wowed buy its moisturising properties, but its good nontheless, Im not sure I would go back to it though. Maybe trying the gel formula may be less greasy.

I got this star gift set from Lush at Christmas containing six bath ballistics. Ive been savouring them and only using them occasionally to make them last. But I used the remaining ones up within a week and now have an empty box that smells like Lush goodies which Ive sadly totally ran out of now. My favourite Christmas one from here was definately the Satsumo Santa, and there was a Mrs Whippy one too which I really loved which is permanent so Ill be going back to that one when I go to Lush :)

Wella Silvikrin Hairspray is yukky. I only bought it because it was cheap, but you can realyl tell its cheap too. It stinks of proper hairspray smell to the point where I have been choking on it before. It makes our hair look crispy and sticky, and its jsut not what Im used to after using my beloved Elnett. Definately wont be buying this again!

Theres a sad story behind my Snow Fairy Shower Gel having ran out. Ive been using it sparingly as a treat because I love it and don want it to run out. Well I heard banging and claterring coming from the bathroom and found Davids little brother making "Wizards potions" in the sink and he had poured in every last drop of my Snow Fairy. I was furious to say the least, but left the shouting to be done by his mam, I cant shout at other peoples children! But alas, I no longer have Snow Fairy in my life until Christmas *Sob*.


Sorry for the stock photo, but David's Mam threw away the empty bottle of this before I got a chance to take the picture. This Imperial Leather Japanese Spa shower gel is really nice. Its cheap for a start, and smells pretty amazing. Apart from my strange love affair with Clean on Me and Snow Fairy, Im quite happy with a good shower gel that smells nice, lathers nice and leaves you feeling clean. This ticks all the boxes so I happily used it all up.


So...12/20 Not bad going so far!

xoxo

Mrs Whippy

is actually amazing. Just got out the bath, smells florally but gorgeous and the bath goes a lovely dusty pinky colour, YUM. When its "exploding" it looks like a blob of strawbery icecream dissolving in the tub. However taking a picture of it didnt do it justice as is always the same with Lush baths. Definately one of my favourite now, I cant stop smelling my arms cos its lingering on, and my skin is so smooth now too. Just lovely.

That is all :)

xoxo